tihvavy  of  die  theological  ^tminavy 

PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


•a^D' 


PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  H.  LeFevre 

.7(o.FL>Z 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 

in  2009  with  funding  from 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


http://www.archive.org/details/churchsmarchingoOOflic 


RUFUS  H.  LEFEVER 


•     (       JUN  11  1952  ^ 

THE  CHURCH'^  :;j|GALSiS# 


.'  11  i< 

5IGAL  S^ 


Marching  Orders; 


OK, 


SUGGESTIVE  THOUGHTS 


Missionary    Work. 


BY 

REV.  D.  K.  FLICKINGER. 


DAYTON,  OHIO: 

UNITED  BRETHREN  PUBLISHING  HOUSE. 

1879. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1879, 

BY  REV.  W.  J.  SHUEY, 

In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  \rasblngton,  D.  C. 


CONTENTS. 


Page, 

I.  God's  Reproof  and  Command  to  Israel.        .       -       -  5 

II,  Much  Land  to  be  Possessed.       -----  12 

III.  Wisdom  of  Winning  Souls. 19 

IV.  Solicitude  for  the  Prosperity  of  Zion.        -        -        -  25 
V.  Love  to  God  and  Covetousness  Opposites.     -       -       -  SI 

VI.  Light  and  Beneficence  of  Christianity.      -       -       -  37 

VII.  Christ's  Compassion  for  Sinners.    -----  44 

Vm.  Teaching  all  Nations.  -------  50 

IX.  Preaching  the  Gospel  to  Every  Creature.      -       -       -  56 

X.  Good  Tidings  Announced  by  the  Angels.          -       -  61 

XI.  Salvation  by  the  Death  and  Resurrection  of  Christ.     -  66 

XII.  Relation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  Missions.  -       -       -  72 

XIII.  Paul's  Indebtedness  to  his  Fellow-men.        -       -       -  78 

XIV.  Living  for  the  Good  of  Others.           -       -       -       -  84 
XV.  Cost  of  Redemption.        ------ 

XVI.  The  Grace  of  Liberality. 

XVn.  Doing  Good  as  we  have  Opportunity.    -       -       - 

XVm.  Preaching  the  Unsearchable  Riches  of  Christ.  -       -  110 

XIX.  Caring  for  the  Welfare  of  Others.           -        -       -       -  117 

XX.  Provoking  One  Another  to  Good  Works.  - 


90 
96 
103 


123 


Ai^ 


The  Cliurcli's  MarcMng  Orders. 


I. 

God's  Reproof  and  Command  to  Israel 


"And  the  Lord  said  unto  Moses,  Wherefore  criest  thou  unto  me? 
speak  unto  the  children  of  Israel,  that  they  go  forward."  (Ex.  xiv.  15.) 

This  language,  spoken  by  the  Almighty  to  Moses, 
and  through  him  to  the  Israelites,  may  be  regarded  as 
both  a  reproof  and  a  command,  which  the  conduct  of 
the  children  of  Israel  made  necessary.  They  had  just 
reached  the  Red  Sea  on  their  way  from  Egypt  to  Ca- 
naan ;  and  with  the  sea  in  their  front,  impassable  mount- 
ains on  either  side,  and  the  Egyptians,  from  whom 
they  were  fleeing,  immediately  in  their  rear,  their  de- 
struction seemed  inevitable.  In  this  the  hour  of  their 
peril,  instead  of  trusting  God  and  calmly  waiting  his 
interposition  as  directed  by  Moses,  they  gave  them- 
selves to  fault-finding,  charging  Moses  with  bringing 
them  into  the  wilderness  to  die.  Hence  the  reproof  and 
command  of  the  text — "Wherefore  criest  thou  unto 
me?  speak  to  the  children  of  Israel,  that  they  go 
forward." 


6  SUGQESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

The  Israelites  had  the  most  positive  proof  that  God 
was  willing  and  able  to  save  them  from  their  enemies, 
and  that  he  would  bring  them  to  their  promised  in- 
heritance if  they  would  trust  and  obey  him.  They 
had  just  witnessed  those  remarkable  miracles  which 
he  had  wrought  in  their  behalf  in  Egypt,  and  had  ex- 
perienced deliverance  from  the  most  terrible  bondage 
by  his  almighty  power.  To  murmur,  doubt,  and  dis- 
obey under  these  circumstances  was  very  wicked. 
But  then,  as  now,  God's  people  frequently  displeased 
him  because  of  their  failure  to  act  their  part  in  the  ex- 
ecution of  his  benevolent  designs  toward  our  race. 

•  God  had  asked  the  Israelites  to  do  only  that  which 
would  better  their  condition,  promote  the  good  of  others, 
and  glorify  himself;  and  their  hearty  concurrence  was 
as  little  as  they  should  have  thought  of  rendering  him. 
So  it  is  still.  Christians  are  called  to  bear  only  such  re- 
sponsibilities and  perform  such  work  as  will  better 
their  condition,  advance  his  cause  among  men,  and 
bring  glory  to  his  name.  Doing  the  work  which  God 
enjoins  upon  us  will  always  better  our  condition,  though 
it  may  involve  privation  and  suflering  for  a  time.  God 
is  able  to  make  up  to  us  all  the  pleasures  we  forego 
for  his  sake,  which  he  does  when  it  is  best.  It  is 
a  truth  that  "all  things  work  together  for  good  to 
them  that  love  the  Lord." 

Alas,  too  many  Christians,  like  the  Israelites,  lack 
faith  in  God,  and  too  often  indulge  in  a  spirit  of  fault- 
finding and  murmuring  at  the  work  given  them  by 
the  Master.  That  which  they  are  especially  called  to 
do  now  is  to  give  the  gospel  to  all  men,  if  it  be  ad- 
mitted that  Christ's  last  command  is  binding  upon  us. 
And   yet,  how   much   fault-finding  and  complaining 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  7 

there  is  respecting  the  missionary  work.  "The  cost 
is  so  great,  and  the  success  so  little."  "  Missionaries 
and  those  appointing  them,  and  who  have  charge  of 
these  interests,  are  not  as  discerning  as  they  should  be," 
are  among  the  complaints  made.  And  some  are  ready 
to  say  that  Christianity  must  find  its  way  into  heathen 
lands  ..through  commerce,  or  adventure,  or  by  some 
special  Providential  interposition,  or  in  some  other 
way  less  costly  and  more  successful  than  by  sending 
missionaries  to  them,  as  Christ  commanded. 

It  is  true  that  the  conquest  of  earth  to  Christ  is  not 
progressing  as  rapidly  as  it  ought.  And  why  ?  Simply 
because  the  church  does  not  do  its  duty.  The  chil- 
dren of  Israel  wandered  about  in  the  wilderness  forty 
years  before  entering  Canaan,  because  their  unbelief 
and  disobedience  kept  them  from  going  up  and  pos- 
sessing the  land  which  G-od  had  promised  them.  They, 
and  not  God,  were  at  fault  for  being  kept  from  their 
inheritance  so  long,  just  as  the  church  now,  and  not 
Christ,  is  to  blame  that  the  heathen  are  not  already  its 
inheritance  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  its 
possession.  God  has  promised  this  to  the  church  as 
certainly  as  he  did  the  land  of  Canaan  to  the  Israelites ; 
and  the  work  progresses  slowly  because  the  church 
moves  slowly. 

Over  eighteen  hundred  years  ago  Christ  said  to  the 
church,  go  forward — "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world." 
And  for  a  little  while  it  did  go;  and  so  did  the  work  go 
forward  gloriously.  After  that  many  centuries  passed 
through  which  comparatively  little  w^as  achieved. 
Indeed,  from  the  first  to  the  last  century  little  was 
done  to  extend  Christianity.  Even  now  but  feeble 
efforts  are  being  put  forth  to  accomplish  this  work. 


8  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

Did  the  church  put  forth  twenty-fold  more  efiort  it 
would  see  corresponding  results.  Did  it  bring  all 
its  tithes  into  God's  store-house  he  would  pour  out  a 
blessing  that  there  would  not  be  room  to  contain.  It 
is  no  marvel  that  so  little  has  been  done,  but  a  wonder 
that  so  much  has  been  accomplished  considering  the 
feeble  efforts  put  forth  and  the  small  amount  of  money 
expended.  One  of  the  greatest  inconsistencies  of  the 
Israelites  was  that  their  professions  and  their  prayers 
did  not  correspond  with  their  conduct.  They  cried 
unto  the  Lord  for  deliverance,  but  still  longed  for  the 
flesh-pots  of  Egypt.  Kot  until  reproved  by  the  Al- 
mighty did  they  put  forth  any  effort  to  obtain  the  sal- 
vation they  prayed  for.  So  is  it  with  many  in  regard 
to  the  missionary  work.  They  pray  that  G-od  may 
send  out  his  light  and  truth ;  that  his  kingdom  may 
come;  that  idolatry,  superstition,  and  all  wickedness 
may  be  destroyed,  and  the  world  be  filled  with  the 
glory  of  God.  But  alas,  they  do  not  pay  much  to 
bring  about  this  glorious  end.  A  comparison  of  their 
prayers  with  their  contributions  to  the  missionary 
cause  shows  a  great  lack  of  harmony.  Between  what 
they  say  and  what  they  do  there  is  positive  disagree- 
ment. 

The  Lord  asked,  "Wherefore  criest  thou  unto  me?" 
while  you  put  forth  no  effort  to  save  yourselves — as 
though  he  had  said, "  Cease  your  crying  and  go  forward ; 
the  thing  to  be  done  now  is  not  to  cry,  but  to  walk." 
Did  he  speak  to  some  Christians  now  it  is  probable  he 
would  say,  "Quit  your  asking  or  crying  to  me  until 
your  contributions  to  my  cause  correspond  with  your 
prayers.  Less  mouth  and  more  purse  work  for  mis- 
sions ;  less  pretending  and  more  executing ;  less  crying 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  9 

to  the  Lord  and  more  walking  in  the  way  of  Ms  com- 
mandments. Show  your  faith  in  the  power  of  the 
gospel,  and  your  desire  to  send  it  to  the  heathen  by 
giving  as  freely  for  this  as  for  other  enterprises  that 
receive  so  much  money.  A  rich  man  who  paid  $900 
for  a  substitute  during  the  war  pays  annually  only  $2 
for  missions.  He  still  prays  the  Lord  to  open  the 
world  to  the  gospel,  whereas  it  ought  to  be  his  purse 
that     should  be  opened. 

I  do  not  wish  to  speak  lightly  of  the  prayers  of 
Christians  in  behalf  of  missions,  for  this  is  a  cause  all 
ought  to  pray  for ;  but  when  they  are  used  as  a  substi- 
tute for  liberality  they  become  solemn  mockery  before 
God,  and  ought  to  be  called  by  that  name.  God  did 
not  receive  the  crying  of  the  Israelites  at  the  Red  Sea 
as  an  equivalent  for  obedience  to  his  command  to  go 
forward,  l^either  will  he  accept  the  prayers  of  his 
people  now  as  a  substitute  for  large-hearted  liberality 
and  earnest  labor  in  behalf  of  his  cause.  So  great  is 
the  demand  for  money  to  plant  and  sustain  missions, 
and  so  ample  are  the  means  of  Christians  and  the  fa- 
cilities to  obtain  them,  that  to  give  as  sparingly  as  some 
do,  or  withhold  altogether,  is  a  great  sin,  and  one 
that  ought  to  be  exposed. 

Some  may  regard  these  statements  as  harsh,  extreme, 
and  unwarranted  in  God's  word.  Far  be  it  frem  me  to 
indulge  in  misrepresentations  or  unnecessary  severity. 
But  facts  are  stubborn  things,  and  figures  show  what 
facts  are  respecting  giving  money  to  missions.  Only 
one  conference  in  the  United  Brethren  Church  gives 
one  dollar  missionary  money  to  the  member,  while  the 
average  for  the  entire  Church  is  about  twenty-five 
cents  to  the  member.     More  than  ten  times  as  much 


10  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

as  this  is  paid  for  useless  and  often  injurious  luxuries, 
and  by  some  of  the  poorest  members  we  have.  Ten 
times  twenty-live  cents  make  two  dollars  and  fifty 
cents,  which  is  much  less  than  many  poor  people  pay 
for  tobacco  and  for  useless  and  sometimes  wicked 
amusements.  A  circus  or  show  has  frequently  taken 
more  money  out  of  Christians'  pockets  than  the  cause 
of  missions  annually.  Surely  something  should  be 
done  to  arouse  the  people  from  their  lethargy,  and 
show  them  their  sins  in  withholding  money  from 
the  cause  of  missions.  A  very  few  do  their  whole  du- 
ty, while  a  large  majority  do  not  give  more  than  one 
tenth  what  they  ought,  or  nothing. 

Contrast  what  we  give  for  missions  with  what  we 
pay  toward  the  support  of  the  government  and  other 
things,  and  the  comparison  will  be  most  damaging  to 
us.  It  falls  far  below  what  many  heathens  and  others 
do  for  the  support  of  idolatry  and  false  religions, 
and  what  they  do  for  Christianity  when  enlightened 
and  truly  converted  to  God.  We  even  fall  far  below 
what  the  Jews  were  required  to  give  by  law.  Did  we 
give  what  they  did  for  religious  purposes,  and  did  the 
missionary  cause  receive  its  proportion,  we  would  have 
several  times  as  much  money  for  missions  as  now.  It 
is  a  reproach  to  many  of  the  churches  of  America 
that  they  are  so  penurious.  There  ought  to  be  a 
large  increase  of  missionary  zeal  and  liberality  gener- 
ally. The  language,  "Go  forward,"  is  peculiarly  ap- 
plicable to  us  as  a  church.  The  small  degree  of  mis- 
sionary zeal  among  us  is  seen  in  the  fact  that  after  all 
the  appeals  made  through  our  church-papers  and  other- 
wise for  years  past  to  obtain  funds  to  enter  new  fields, 
we  have  been  barely  able  to^  hold  the  ground  we  had 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  11 

with  small  re-enforcements.  Inviting  fields  have  been 
and  still  are  open  to  us.  Laborers  are  offering  their 
services ;  but  alas,  we  have  no  money  to  send  them. 
We  ought  to  be  alarmed  at  this  state  of  things.  "We 
must  go  forward,  or  God  can  not  long  continue  to 
bless  our  eflbrts  or  continue  us  as  instruments  in  his 
hands  to  carry  forward  his  work.  God  grant  that  we 
will  heed  this  call,  and  be  happy  and  prosperous  in  the 
work  he  has  given  us  to  do. 


12  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS    ON 


II. 

Much  Land  to  be  Possessed. 


"There  remainetli  yet  very  much  land  to  be  possessed."  (Josh, 
xiii.  1) 

This  text  in  its  original  application  refers  to  the  sub- 
jugation of  those  tribes  inhabiting  the  land  of' Canaan 
at  the  time  the  children  of  Israel  entered  it,  and  which 
they  were  commanded  to  extirpate.  They  had  already 
subdued  thirty-one  kings  and  taken  from  them  their 
possession.  But  these  occupied  only  a  small  portion  of 
the  country  God  had  promised  them,  and  hence  the 
work  of  conquest  had  barely  commenced.  Let  us  ap- 
ply these  words  to  the  moral  condition  ot  the  world 
and  show  that  in  this  respect,  also,  "There  remaineth 
yet  very  much  land  to  be  possessed." 

According  to  the  most  accredited  census  at  the  close 
of  the  year  1877,  the  population  of  the  earth  is  about 
1,350,000,000.  Of  this  number  more  than  two  thirds 
are  heathen,  or  rejecters  ot  Christ  as  the  Savior  of 
the  world.  These  are  mostly  without  the  light  of  the 
gospel,  and  ignorant  of  the  plan  of  salvation.  They 
have  minds  and  hearts  susceptible  of  intellectual  and 
moral  cultivation,  but  in  the  absence  of  a  correct 
knowledge  of  God  and  the  plan  of  salvation,  teach- 
ing them  how  to  use  the  powers  with  which  they  are 


THE    MISSIONARY  WORK.  13 

endowed,  so  as  to  subserve  tlie  will  of  their  Creator 
on  earth,  and  secure  happiness  in  the  world  to  come, 
they  grope  their  way  down  to  death  amid  the  greatest 
degradation  and  ignorance. 

Of  God  and  his  moral  government,  the  gospel  and 
its  blessings,  religion  and  its  joys,  heaven  and  its 
glories,  hell  and  its  torments,  they  know  nothing,  or 
but  little.  It  is  true  that  Christ  "  by  the  grace  of  God 
tasted  death  for  every  man,"  and  "life  and  immortal- 
ity were  brought  to  light  through  the  gospel,"  but 
their  ignorance  of  these  glorious  truths  make  them  as 
though  they  were  not,  so  far  as  exerting  any  saving 
power  over  their  lives.  They  are  not  only  destitute  of 
all  correct  knowledge  of  God,  and  their  duty  to  him, 
Rot  only  emptied  of  all  that  is  good,  but  are  filled 
with  all  that  is  wicked.  In  the  languages  of  script- 
ure, "  Their  feet  are  swift  to  shed  blood :  destruction 
and  misery  are  in  their  ways:  and  the  way  of  peace 
have  they  not  known."  Such  is  heathenism ;  and  such 
will  it  be  to  over  one  half  of  our  race  until  the  gospel, 
which  is  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation,  yea,  the 
only  power  that  elevates  and  saves  mankind,  is  given 
them.  "Without  it  all  else  fails.  Civilization,  educa- 
tion, and  legislation  utterly  and  forever  fail  to  lift  men 
up  and  save  them  without  the  gospel.  Here,  then, 
there  is  much  land  to  be  possessed  by  the  church;  and 
the  command  of  Christ  to  it  is,  "  Go  ye  therefore, 
and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost." 

But  now  let  us  turn  aside  from  this  dark  picture  in 
heathen  countries  a  short  time,  to  take  a  glance  at  the 
spiritual  destitution  existing  in  the  most  enlightened 
countries.     In  our  own  country,  which  is  second  to 


14  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

none,  and  far  in  advance  of  most  others,  there  are 
scores  of  places — in  some  instances  large  settlements, 
especially  in  the  far  "West  and  South, — without 
the  stated  preaching  of  the  gospel,  without  Sabbath- 
schools  or  any  other  of  the  restraining  influences  of 
Christianity.  The  Savior  taught  that  the  poor  should 
have  the  gospel  preached  unto  them,  but-  even  in  our 
own  favored  land  thousands  of  both  temporally  and 
spiritually  poor  hear  but  little  gospel. 

It  is  a  fact  that  many  in  our .  midst  are  altogether 
ignorant  of  what  constitutes  true  piety. ,  They  have 
some  indistinct  ideas  of , Christian  obligation,  but  the 
gospel  has  not  been  brought  to  bear  upon  them  so  as 
to  impress  them  with  their  duty  to  accept  Christ  as 
their  only  Savior.  The  agencies  for  the  diffusion  of 
Christianity  and  salvation  of  men,  both  in  point  of 
number  and  efiiciency,  fall  far  short  of  meeting  the 
moral  wants  of  the  people  in  even  the  most  favored 
portions  of  earth,  while  in  the  less  favored,  and  es- 
pecially in  heathen  lands,  darkness,  superstition,  and 
idolatry  reign  almost  without  a  rival;  so  that  look 
where  we  may,  "There  remaineth  yet  very  much  land 
to  be  possessed." 

The  following  statistics  will  give  some  idea  of  the 
moral  condition  of  the  world.  There  are  1,350,000,000 
people  on  the  earth.  Of  these  about  200,000,000  are 
Roman  Catholics,  75,000,000  belong  to  the  Greek 
Church,  148,000,000  are  Mohammedans,  7,000,000  are 
Jews,  and  150,000,000  are  Protestants,  while  770,000,- 
000  are  heathens  or  pagan  proper,  and  largely  made 
up  of  Buddhists  and  other  Asiatic  religions-  •  Now 
add  the  7,000,000  Jewsandthe  148,000,000  Moham- 
medans, making   155,000,000,  to  the  770,000,000  pa- 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  15 

gans  and  we  have  the  startling  picture  before  us 
that  925,000,000  of  the  human  race  either  know  noth- 
ing of  or  hope  nothing  in  Christ,  and  that  there  are 
but  425,000,000  Christians,  which  includes  all  found  in 
Christian  lands  excepting  Jews.  IlTow  deduct  from 
this  425,000,000  all  non-professors  of  religion  and  all 
unworthy  ones  found  in  the  so-called  Christian  lands, 
and  the  number  of  real  Christians  is  small.  Not  over 
80,000,000,  or  one  person  in  every  seventeen,  of  the 
entire,  population  of  the  earth  are  truly  Christians, 
leaving  1,270,000,000  who  are  not.  What  proportion 
of  these  die  in  infancy  and  in  other  conditions  render- 
ing them  absolutely  irresponsible, — all  of  whom  will 
be'Saved,  without  a  doubt, — we  know  not;  yet  the  lan- 
guage, "  There  remaineth  yet  very  much  land  to  be 
possessed,"  is  quite  appropriate. 

The  following,  clipped  from  a  newspaper  after  the 
above  was  written  and  which  is  quite  recent,  we  add 
just  as  we  found  it.  It  will  be  perceived  that  these 
statistics  differ  in  most  particulars  from  those  which 
have  been  given:  "A  German  collector  of  statistics 
estimates  the  population  of  the  earth  at  1,340,145,000 
souls,  of  -whom  about  413,000,000  are  Christians  and 
900,000,000.  non-christians.  Catholics  number  210,- 
000,000,  and  Protestants  115,000,000.  Of  the  Greek 
Church  there  are  80,000,000,  and  of  other  Christians 
8,000,000.  Jews  are  reckoned  at  7,000,000,  Moham- 
medans at  120,000,000,  and  the  heathen  of  all  kinds 
at  .770,000,000." 

The  population  of  the  world,  as  given  by  Behm 
and  Wagner  in  their  late  issue,  is  put  down  at  1,423,- 
917,000,  and  apportioned  as  follows :  Europe,  309,- 
178,800;     Asia,    824,548,590;     Africa,     199,921,600; 


16  BuaaESTivE  thouguts  on 

Australia  and  Polynesia,  4,748,600 ;  America,  85,519,- 
800. 

But  to  understand  the  magnitude  of  tlie  work  to  be 
done  before  the  church — Christ's  tenant  upon  earth- 
shall  occupy  all  the  land  to  be  possessed,  we  must 
consider  the  obstacles  to  be  removed  preparatory  to 
it.  These  are  numerous  and  formidable,  and  array 
themselves  against  Christianity  with  great  force.  Kot 
only  are  there  thousands  of  persons  who  single-hand- 
ed and  alone  fight  against  the  truth  of  God  for  the 
purpose,  mainly,  of  neutralizing  its  power  on  their  own 
hearts  and  preventing  his  Spirit  from  bringing  them 
into  subjection  to  Christ,  but  there  are  many  powerful 
organizations,  which  command  great  learning,  wealth, 
and  influence,  and  which  are  mighty  engines  for  evil, 
opposed  to  the  onward  march  of  true  Christianity. 
Among  these  are  Catholicism,  Mormonism,  Juda- 
ism, LFniversalism,  and  many  other  systems  of  error 
too  numerous  to  mention.  These  teach  doctrines  and 
give  freedom  to  conduct  which  are  contrary  to  God's 
word,  and  which  suit  fallen  human  nature  so  well  as 
to  entrap  many  in  their  meshes.  They  quiet  the  con- 
sciences and  fetter  the  souls  of  men  by  the  delusive 
hopes  which  they  inspire.  I  do  not  mean  to  say  that 
all  who  adhere  to  them  are  wicked  and  will  be  lost, 
but  that  as  organizations  they  are  in  their  character 
and  tendency  opposed  to  Christianity.  In  heathen 
countries  there  are  similar  organizations,  such  as  Bud- 
dhism, Brahmanism,  Mohammedanism,  Polytheism, 
image,  beast,  purrow,  and  devil  worship,  all  of  which 
are  in  direct  antagonism  to  Christianity.  These  sys- 
tems of  religion  are  often  so  interwoven  with  the  po- 
litical and  social  institutions  of  those  countries  as  to 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  17 

constitute  a  mighty  barrier  to  the  spread  of  Christian- 
ity. 

But  besides  these  powerful  organizations,  found  botli 
in  heathen  and  Christian  lands,  there  are  many  other 
great  evils  which,  though  not  organized,  are  dragging 
their  thousands  doAvn  to  perdition,  such  as  intemper- 
ance, slavery,  covetousness,  pride,  and  other  evils, 
which  are  in  bitter  hostility  to  the  spread  of  religion, 
and  which  must  be  destroyed  among  men  before  this 
land  will  be  possessed  by  the  church  of  Christ.  Yet  this 
work  will  be  accomplished.  These  evils  and  systems 
of  evil  will  be  brought  to  naught,  and  Christ  will 
reign  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords.  I  do  not  wish 
to  teach  that  all  men  will  become  Christians,  for  some 
will  resist  the  truth  till  the  last,  but  that  the  gospel 
will  be  so  generally  known  and  so  far  influence  men 
that  it  will  root  out  all  these  evils  and  put  such  a 
check  to  human  depravity  as  to  make  it  true  that 
Christ  "shall  reign  where'er  the  sun  does  his  suc- 
cessive journej's  run." 

But  what  ought  we  do  to  facilitate  this  much-de- 
sired end  ?  With  the  fact  before  us  that  millions  are 
perishing  for  want  of  the  bread  of  life,  and  that  the 
Master  commanded  us  to  give  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,  and  that  multiplied  thousands  of  the  hea- 
then, yea,  millions  are  passing  into  eternity  ever}' 
year,  amidst  the  greatest  possible  degradation  and 
wickedness,  what  is  our  duty?  Is  it  not  to  pos- 
sess the  world  for  Christ  at  the  earliest  possible 
period?  One  thing  ought  to  put  the  blush  upon  our 
faces;  namely,  the  advocates  of  false  religion  are 
often  more  self-sacrificing  and  untiring  in  their  efforts 


18  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGUTS    ON 

to  promote  their  views  than  many  Christians  are  to 
promote  the  cause  of  missions. 

But  by  what  means  may  we  best  facilitate  this 
work?  By  personal  piety,  or  giving  the  world  a 
consistent  Christian  life.  There  is  great  power  in  an 
exemplary  life.  If  all  who  name  the  name  of  Christ 
would  live  out  fully  the  principles  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion this  would  do  much  to  facilitate  the  conquest  of 
earth  to  Christ.  Much  as  the  world  needs  precept 
and  doctrine,  it  needs  example  more.  A  living  union 
with  Christ,  making  the  life  symmetrical  and  pure  on 
the  part  of  professors  of  religion,  will  overcome  the 
opposition  of  the  irreligious  and  win  many  hearts  to 
Christ.  Christians  who  are  living  epistles,  known 
and  read  of  all  men,  whose  lives  show  that  they  have 
been  with  Christ  and  learned  of  him,  wield  a  power 
for  good  that  is  irresistible  ;  and  though  some  may 
not  be  able  to  do  much  in  other  ways,  all  may  through 
grace  give  the  world  good  examples. 

But  we  may  by  personal  effort  and  money  do  a 
good  deal  also  to  save  men.  If  the  love  of  Christ 
constrains  us  we  will  not  only  recommend  this  relig- 
ion to  others,  but  we  will  as  we  have  ability  con- 
tribute of  our  means  to  save  them.  God  might 
have  chosen  other  instrumentalities  to  make  known 
the  gospel  to  the  heathen,  and  thus  have  saved  his 
people  the  labor  and  expense  of  doing  this  work,  but 
for  good  reasons  he  has  made  them  the  channel 
through  which  this  is  to  be  done;  and  this  fact  alone 
is  all  the  argument  that  a  Christian  ought  to  ask  to 
move  him  to  earnest  labor  and  large-hearted  liberal- 
ity for  the  world's  evangelization. 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  19 


III. 

Wisdom  of  Winning  Souls. 


"And  he  that  winneth  souls  is  wise."     (Prov.  xi.  30.) 

This  text  will  lead  us  to  consider,  (1)  tlie  moral  con- 
dition and  circumstances  of  the  soul;  (2)  the  means 
to  be  employed  to  win  it  to  Christ;  (3)  the  wisdom  of 
engaging  in  the  work.  The  soul,  according  to  the 
history  given  by  Moses,  is  the  last  and  noblest  work 
of  the  Creator,  so  far  as  creation  relates  to  our  world. 
It  was  after  God  had  created  the  heaven  and  the 
earth  and  all  things  contained  therein  that  he  said, 
Let  us  make  man,  and  let  us  make  him  in  our  own 
image,  and  after  our  likeness ;  and  thus  was  he  created 
in  the  moral  image  of  God.  But  Adam,  into  whose 
nostrils  God  breathed  the  breath  of  life,  and  he  became 
a  living  soul,  with  Eve,  his  wife,  soon  fell  from  the 
high  and  holy  state  in  which  they  were  created,  and 
became  involved  in  darkness,  bondage,  and  open  re- 
bellion against  God. 

In  this  sad  condition  are  their  posterity  in  their  un- 
saved state.  "  Wherefore,  as  by  one  man  sin  entered 
into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin ;  and  so  death  passed 
upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned."  The  soul, 
therefore,  is  in  darkness;  and  that  it  may  be  won  to 
Christ,  light  must  be  thrown  into  and  around  it.    It  is 


20  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

also  in  spiritual  bondage,  and  must  be  liberated  there- 
from and  brought  into  tlie  liberty  of  God's  people. 
Then,  too,  it  is  in  open  rebellion  against  the  authority 
and  government  of  Heaven,  and  must  be  induced  to 
ground  its  weapons  of  warfare  and  submit  to  God. 
To  be  saved  or  won  to  Christ,  it  must  swear  allegiance 
to  his  government  and  obey  the  laws  of  his  kingdom 
as  these  are  taught  and  enjoined  in  the  Holy  Script- 
ures. 

This  implies  faith  in  God  as  the  creator  and  gov- 
ernor of  the  universe,  faith  in  Christ  as  an  all-sufficient 
and  willing  Savior,  a  sorrow  for  sin  that  needs  not  to 
be  repented  of,  the  renunciation  of  all  that  God's  word 
forbids,  and  the  hearty  submission  of  all  to  the  service 
of  Christ.  "If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him 
deny  himself,  and  take  up  his  cross,  and  follow  me." 
"Not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me.  Lord,  Lord,  shall 
enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven ;  but  he  that  doeth 
the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  heaven."  Until 
men  are  brought  to  do  the  will  of  God, — which  they 
never  w^ll  be  until  they  are  born  into  the  kingdom  of 
Christ, — they  are  not  won  to  him.  They  may  be  won 
from  much  that  is  w^rong  and  to  much  that  is  good, 
but  nothing  short  of  regeneration  of  heart  wins  them 
to  Jesus. 

The  means  to  be  employed  to  accomplish  this  end. 
This  is  to  be  done  chiefly  through  the  preaching  of 
the  gospel.  This  is  God's  ordained  method  by  which 
to  communicate  his  will  to  men,  as  the  Scriptures 
abundantly  teach.  Ministers  are  commended  to 
"preach  the  word ;  be  instant  in  season,  out  of  season ; 
reprove,  rebuke,  exhort  with  all  long-suffering  and 
doctrine."     "  And  the  servant  of  the  Lord  must  not 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  21 

strive;  but  be  gentle  unto  all  men,  apt  to  teach,  pa- 
tient; in  meekness  instructing  those  that  oppose  them- 
selves; if  God  peradventure  will  give  them  repentance 
to  the  acknowledging  of  the  truth  ;  and  that  they  may- 
recover  themselves  out  of  the  snare  of  the  devil,  who 
are  taken  captive  by  him  at  his  will." 

The  Scriptures  should  be  circulated  freely ;  so  also 
of  good  religious  papers  and  books.  And  other  means 
may  be  and  should  be  employed  to  enlighten  and 
Christianize  the  world.  Yet  nothing  can  be  a  substi- 
tute for  the  preaching  of  the  word.  The  embassador 
of  Christ,  the  living  teacher  divinely  called  and  anoint- 
ed, with  God's  living  truth  in  his  hands,  is  to  go  forth 
and  beseech  men  to  become  reconciled  to  God.  In  no 
other  way  can  Christianity  be  so  successfully  pro- 
moted. The  knowledge  of  the  gospel  can  be  con- 
veyed to  more  people  and  be  impressed  more  deeply 
upon  their  minds  in  this  than  in  any  other  way.  To 
Bay  that  other  ways  are  better  is  to  set  up  our  judgment 
against  God's.  How  important  that  ministers  study 
to  show  themselves  approved  unto  God,  workmen 
that  need  not  to  be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the 
word  of  truth. 

How  greatly  the  Lord  has  blessed  and  still  blesses  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel.  In  apostolic  times,  during 
the  licformation,  and  since  then,  wherever  and  by 
whomsoever  it  has  been  faithfully  proclaimed,  whether 
in  enlightened  or  heathen  countries,  souls  have  been 
saved.  "My  word  shall  not  return  unto  me  void,  but 
it  shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please."  "  The  word 
of  God  is  quick,  and  powerful,  and  sharper  than  any 
two-edged  sword,  piercing  even  to  the  dividing  asun- 
der of  soul  and  spirit,  and  of  the  joints  and  marrow, 


22  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS   ON 

and  is  a  discerner  of  the  thoughts  and  intents  of  the 
heart."  "  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing 
precious  seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoic- 
ing, bringing  his  sheaves  with  him."  He  shall  win 
souls.  People  will  be  convinced,  convicted,  and  con- 
verted, and  their  fruit  will  be  "  unto  holiness,  and  the 
end  everlasting  life." 

But  while  this  is  the  chief  instrumentality^,  there  are 
other  methods  and  agencies  which  may  do  much  to 
win  souls.  The  officers  of  the  church, — class-leaders, 
class-stewards,  trustees  of  church-property,  Sabbath- 
school  superintendents  and  teachers, — each  in  his 
sphere,  may  labor  successfully  to  promote  Christianity. 
A  devoted  class-leader,  by  his  godly  counsels  and  ex- 
emplary life,  may  do  much  to  edify  and  encourage  be- 
lievers and  induce  the  wicked  to  seek  Christ.  'Prompt, 
earnest,  liberal  class-stewards  and  trustees  of  church- 
property  may  greatly  strengthen  the  hands  and 
hearts  of  ministers  by  furnishing  the  needful  means 
to  make  the  house  of  God  attractive  for  worship,  for 
Sabbath-school,  and  for  such  other  uses  as  will  tend  to 
check  vice  and  promote  virtue. 

.  Then  what  a  field  for  usefulness  have  Sabbath- 
school  superintendents  and  teachers.  How  great  their 
opportunities  to  win  souls  to  Jesus.  If  they  be  studi- 
ous, earnest  Christians,  and  devoted  to  their  work, 
bearing  the  souls  of  those  intrusted  to  their  care  on 
faith's  wing  to  the  mercy-seat,  and  like  the  be- 
loved John  have  no  greater  joy  than  to  hear  that  their 
children  walk  in  the  truth,  many  through  their  labors 
will  be  led  to  Christ  and  to  heaven.  JSTot  only  may 
the  oflicers  of  the  church  and  Sabbath-school  success- 
fully labor  to  win  souls  to  the  Savior,  but  all  Christians 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  23 

may  and  should  do  so.  By  their  heart-piety,  right 
living,  earnest  praying,  faithful  attendance  upon  the 
means  of  grace,  and  liberal  support  of  the  cause  of 
Christ,  others  will  he  saved. 

Among  the  essential  qualifications  for  usefulness, 
which  will  apply  to  ministers  and  people,  a  holy  life 
stands  pre-eminent.  The  world  needs  instruction,  hut 
illustration  as  well ;  it  needs  precept,  but  example 
more.  "When  we  exemplify  in  our  lives  the  truths  of 
Christianity  which  we  teach,  then  it  is  that  the  truth 
is  sharper  than  any  two-edged  sword.  Living  epistles, 
known  and  read  of  all  men,  are  as  essential  as  those 
contained  in  the  oracles  of  God.  Said  Paul  to  Timo- 
thy, "Take  heed  unto  thyself,  and  unto  the  doctrine; 
continue  in  them:  for  in  doing  this  thou  shalt  both 
save  thyself,  and  them  that  hear  thee."  We  must  do 
the  things  we  teach  and  profess  if  we  would  exert  a 
wide-spread  influence  for  good  in  the  world. 

Wisdom  of  engaging  in  tliis  work.  That  it  is  wise  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  this  work  associates  us  with 
the  best  men  of  every  age  in  the  history  of  the  world; 
yea,  with  patriarchs,  prophets,  apostles,  and  martyrs, 
and  with  Christ  himself.  It  was  for  this  that  the 
blessed  Savior  came  to  earth,  died  upon  Calvary,  and 
now  liveth  at  the  right  hand  of  God  to  make  inter- 
cession for  us.  The  Savior,  by  the  labors  which  he 
performed,  the  sufferings  he  endured,  and  the  power 
he  exerts  to  win  men,  attests  the  wisdom  of  this  work. 

It  is  wise  because  of  the  infinite  value  of  the  soul 
and  the  unspeakable  and  never-ending  blessings  it  will 
enjoy  if  won,  as  well  as  the  indescribable  and  endless 
tortures  it  will  sufter  if  not  won.  Christ  asked  the  ques- 
tion, "For  what  is  a  man  profited,  if  he  shall  gain  the 


24  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

whole  world,  and  lose  bis  own  soul  ?  or  what  shall  a  man 
give  i;i  exchange  for  his  soul?"  This  question  carries 
with  it  its  own  answer.  It  will  profit  a  man  nothing  to 
gain  the  whole  world,  if  he  lose  his  own  soul ;  and  there 
is  nothing  that  he  can  give  in  exchange  for  it.  To 
gain  the  world  at  the  expense  of  the  soul  is  to  give 
pearls  for  bubbles,  life  for  death,  heaven  for  hell.  The 
world  is  worth  a  great  deal, — making  dollars  and  cents 
the  standard, — more  than  we  can  compute;  but  one 
soul  is  worth  much  more.  Because  it  is  so  valuable  it 
is  wise  to  win  it,  so  wise  that  to  this  work  we  should 
bring  all  the  ability  God  has  given  us. 

Look  how  men  exert  themselves  to  win  wealth,  fame, 
and  position  in  society.  For  these  they  exert  every 
power  of  their  being.  Some  have  labored  hard  for 
many  years  to  win  an  earthly  home,  others  to  obtain 
knowledge,  and  have  done  right  in  doing  so  ;  but  still, 
it  is  more  in  keeping  w^itli  wisdom  to  win  souls.  Look 
again  how  men  of  the  world  exert  themselves  to  win 
a  game,  or  a  suit  at  court.  Should  not  Christians  be 
rebuked  by  these  things  for  the  heartless  manner  in 
which  they  too  often  exert  themselves  to  win  souls? 
Well  did  Christ  say  that  "the  children  of  this  world 
are  in  their  generation  wiser  than  the  children  of  light." 
When  a  railroad  is  to  be  built,  or  some  worldly  enter- 
prise to  be  prosecuted  that  requires  a  sacrifice  of  men 
and  money,  they  are  freely  furnished.  Hundreds  of 
lives  were  sacrificed  in  building  the  Panama  Railroad, 
thousands  in  the  mines,  and  tens  of  thousands  were 
slain  in  war;  yet  but  comparatively  few  are  sacriiiced 
for  winning  souls.     "He  that  wiuneth  souls  is  wise." 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  25 


IV. 

Solicitude  for  the  Prosterity  of  Zion. 


"  For  Zion's  sake  will  I  not  hold  my  peace,  and  for  Jerusalem's 
sake  I  will  not  rest,  until  the  righteousness  thereof  go  forth  as  bright- 
ness, and  the  salvation  thereof  as  a  lamp  thatburneth."     (Isa.  IxiC  1.) 

What  a  blessing  it  has  been  to  the  world  that  in 
every  age  of  the  church  there  have  been  those  who 
would  speak  for  truth  and  right,  and  who  labored  for 
the  prosperity  of  God's  Zion  with  a  zeal  that  knew  no 
abatement.  But  for  these  enthusiastic  and  self-sacri- 
ficing men  Christianity  would  not  have  achieved  the 
victories  it  has,  if  indeed  it  would  have  an  existence 
at  all  on  the  earth.  Those  prophets,  apostles,  reform- 
ers, and  missionaries  through  whose  efforts  the  fires  of 
true  religion  were  kindled  and  have  been  kept  burn- 
ing Avere  men  of  this  class.  Like  Isaiah,  they  would 
speak  for  truth  and  God,  and  work  for  the  pulling  down 
of  the  strongholds  of  Satan  and  the  upbuilding  of 
righteousness,  regardless  of  consequences. 

Should  such  men  cease  from  the  earth, — but  they 
will  not,  for  God  must  and  will  have  them, — then  all 
aggressive  effort  for  the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom 
would  soon  cease.  Pure  religion  would  be  banished 
from  the  world,  and  idolatry,  superstition,  and  hea- 
thenism would  reign  supreme.  It  was  through  labor, 
sacrifice,  and  suffering  on  the  part  of  Christ  that  sal- 
vation was  procured  for  the  race;  and  it  is  through 


26  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

these  on  the  part  of  the  church  that  its  blessings  are 
to  be  given  to  the  whole  world.  "Out  of  Zion, 
the  perfection  of  beauty,  God  hath  shined;"  and  out 
of  it  will  he  continue  to  shine  until  the  whole  world 
is  given  to  Christ  for  his  inheritance. 

The  figure  used  by  the  prophet  to  represent  the  light 
and  glory  of  the  church  is  a  very  beautiful  and  strik- 
ing one.  The  zeal  which  he  also  manifested  for  its 
prosperity,  and  the  confidence  he  had  in  its  final  tri- 
umph, are  worthy  of  our  imitation.  With  him  religion 
meant  more  than  a  formal  profession ;  yea,  more  than 
mere  personal  enjoyment.  It  meant  earnest  labor  for 
the  good  of  others.  God's  kingdom  set  up  in  our 
hearts  accomplishes  in  us  the  same  work  that  we  are 
to  promote  in  others;  and  just  in  proportion  as  our 
personal  righteousness  goes  forth  as  brightness,  and 
our  salvation  glows  out  as  a  lamp  that  burneth,  in  that 
same  proportion  will  we  feel  for  the  woes  of  others 
and  labor  to  save  them. 

Nothing  short  of  a  living  Christianity  in  the  hearts 
of  God's  Zion  will  cause  her  righteousness  to  go  forth 
as  brightness,  and  her  salvation  as  a  lamp  that  burneth. 
Christ  said  to  his  followers,  "  Ye  are  the  light  of  the 
world."  "  If  therefore  the  light  that  is  in  thee  be  dark- 
ness, how  great  is  that  darkness !"  Truly,  very  great. 
What  so  dark  as  a  backslidden  man  or  church  ?  Such 
are  dark  to  themselves  and  dark  to  others.  Their 
light  is  under  a  bushel,  or  quite  gone  out,  and  they  the 
opposite  to  what  God  intended  they  should  be.  In- 
stead of  their  righteousness  going  forth  as  brightness, 
their  unrighteousness  goes  forth  as  a  cloud.  Like  those 
described  by  the  apostle,  "  they  profess  that  they  know 
God;  but  in  works  they  deny  him,  being  abominable, 
and  disobedient,  and  unto  every  good  work  reprobate." 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  27 

Christians  too  often  forget  that  one  great  end  to  be 
accomplished  by  God's  Zion  on  earth  is  to  give  the 
light  of  Christianity  to  those  who  are  yet  Avithout  it. 
They  are  to  be  to  the  world  what  light-houses  are 
to  the  mariner;  they  are  to  let  their  light  shine 
for  the  good  of  others.  Suppose  the  keeper  of  a 
light-house  were  found  on  a  cold,  stormy  night  sitting 
in  his  own  well-warmed  and  well-lighted  room,  but 
without  light  in  the  beacon  or  watch-tower !  Would 
we  not  say  to  him,  "  Out  with  your  light ;  let  it  shine?" 
Would  we  not  remind  him  of  the  fact  that  the  chief 
end  of  such  a  house  was  not  to  furnish  him  comforta- 
ble quarters,  but  to  direct  mariners,  so  that  they  might 
escape  shipwreck  and  make  a  safe  landing  ? 

So  it  is  with  the  light  given  to  Zion.  It  is  to  be  dif- 
fused for  the  good  of  others  rather  than  to  be  enjoyed. 
"  Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men  that  they  may 
see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  yo  ur  Father  which 
is  in  heaven."  Some  seem  to  think  that  the  chief  end 
of  a  religious  life  is  to  furnish  themselves  with  com- 
fortable quarters ;  that  is,  to  consume  what  little  light 
they  have  for  their  own  benefit  rather  than  for  the  good 
of  others.  They  say,  or  at  least  act  it,  that  if  the  hea- 
then want  the  gospel,  or  the  destitute  the  Bible,  houses 
of  worship,  or  Sabbath-schools,  let  them  get  them. 
We  will  help  ourselves ;  let  others  help  themselves. 
Let  them  kindle  their  own  fires  by  which  to  obtain 
warmth  and  light,  or  do  without  them.  Our  prayers 
and  contributions  and  efibrts  shall  all  be  expended  up- 
on ourselves.  We  will  get  through  life  as  easily  and 
into  heaven  as  cheaply  as  possible,  and  let  others  look 
out  for  themselves. 

Thank  God  not  all  are  such,  for  there  are  many  (and 
their  number  is  increasing)  who,  like  Isaiah,  speak  and 


28  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

pray  and  work  and  pay  for  tlie  extension  of  Chris- 
tianity. But  for  them  and  the  light-houses  established 
through  their  instrumentality  many  who  have  been 
saved  from  idolatry  and  superstition  would  yet  be  in 
heathenish  darkness.  But  for  missionaries  and  those 
who  furnished  them  the  means  to  go  the  gospel  would 
never  have  been  carried  to  Germany,  Holland,  the 
Sandwich  Islands,  or  even  to  America,  to  say  nothing 
of  Africa,  China,  and  numerous  heathen  lands  in  which 
gospel  light  is  now  shining  to  some  extent 

But  for  such  the  happy  homes  now  found  in  the 
jungles  of  China,  amid  the  burning  sands  of  Africa, 
and  on  Greenland's  icy  mountains,  would  still  be  the 
abodes  of  cruelty  and  wretchedness.  Then  instead  of 
the  Bible  and  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  the  family 
altar  and  the  prayer  circle.  Sabbath-schools  and  semi- 
naries of  learning,  asylums,  hospitals,  and  the  many 
social,  civil,  and  religious  blessings  enjoyed  in  Chris- 
tian lands  and  in  portions  of  heathen  countries,  all  the 
horrors  of  heathenism  would  reign  unchecked  through- 
out the  would.  Great  as  have  been  the  heroism,  sacri- 
fice, and  cost  to  sustain  Christian  missions,  no  enter- 
prise has  yielded  such  returns  of  good  to  man  on  earth, 
to  say  nothing  of  the  evils  averted,  or  the  good  secured 
in  the  future  world. 

With  the  testimony  before  us  that  the  gospel  is  of 
such  inestimable  worth  to  the  heathen,  and  with  the 
command  of  Christ,  "  Preach  my  gospel  to  every  creat- 
ure," unrepealed,  and  as  binding  as  divine  authority 
can  make  it,  how  is  it  that  Christians  can  be  so  indif- 
ferent to  the  claims  of  missions?  Such  persons  either 
have  a  misconception  of  duty,  or  they  are  unwilling  to 
perform  what  they  know  is  required  of  them.  Be  it 
one  or  the  other,   their  course  is  a  reproach   to  the 


THE    MISSIONARY  WORK.  29 

Christian  name.  They  say  by  such  conduct  that 
the  gospel  is  of  but  little  value,  and  that  it  matters  not 
whether  the  millions  who  have  it  not  shall  receive  it. 
We  measure  the  value  that  men  put  upon  things  by 
what  they  do  for  them;  and  we  may  safely  judge  of 
the  estimate  they  put  upon  Christianity  by  what  they 
do  for  its  spread  among  those  who  have  it  not. 

Strange  as  it  may  seem,  it  is  nevertheless  true  that 
it  is  still  necessary  to  vindicate  the  cause  of  Christian 
missions  among  some  Christians,  and  present  all  the  ar- 
guments that  the  subject  furnishes  to  move  them  to 
give  this  enterprise  a  reasonable  support.  The  devotees 
and  propagandists  of  false  religions  are  often  more 
zealous  to  propagate  their  principles  than  the  true  fol- 
lowers of  Christ.  If  all  Protestants  showed  the  same 
zeal  and  liberality  for  the  diffusion  of  their  principles 
that  Catholics,  Mormons,  Jews,  and  Mohammedans 
often  do,  it  would  not  be  long  until  the  gospel  would 
be  given  to  every  nation  under  the  sun.  This  might 
be  done  in  the  short  space  of  twenty  or  twenty-live 
years,  and  no  one  be  required  to  bear  oppressive  bur- 
dens or  do  anything  but  what  would  be  for  their 
spiritual  good. 

It  is  remarkable  what  men  may  do  when  they  are 
fully  intent  on  it.  We  have  a  striking  illustration  of 
this  in  our  late  war.  There  was  a  time  during  that 
fearful  struggle  when,  because  of  treachery  in  higii 
places  and  our  poverty  in  arms  and  money,  it  looked 
as  though  the  rebellion  would  triumph.  Just  then  a 
wonderful  change  came  over  the  people  of  the  North. 
They  became  fully  aroused.  Their  patriotism,  which 
seemed  for  a  time  to  be  dead,  sprung  into  life ;  and  as 
by  magic  large  and  well-equipped  armies  and  fleets 


30  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS    ON 

were  raised,  all  the  munitions  of  war  were  at  hand, 
and  in  one  year  afterward  the  rebellion  was  so 
crippled  as  to  insure  its  speedy  death ;  and  in  due  time 
it  did  die. 

The  same  zeal  that  crushed  the  rebellion  against  this 
nation  would  in  a  short  time  crush  the  rebellion  now 
waged  against  God's  truth,  and  give  this  whole  world 
to  Christ.  Did  Zion  put  her  forces  into  the  field  as 
freely  and  support  them  as  liberally  in  proportion  to 
her  ability  to  do  so  as  did  our  government  to  put  down 
the  rebellion,  then  would  the  moral  conquest  of  earth 
soon  be  accomplished.  Christ's  command  is,  "  Teach 
all  nations ;"  and  his  promise  is, "  I  am  with  you  alway," 
— with  you  to  help  you  accomplish  this  work.  Who 
in  the  face  of  these  commands  and  promises  can  doubt 
its  final  fulfillment.  Isaiah  did  not,  as  his  language 
shows.  Why  should  we  have  so  little  faith  in  what 
our  heavenly  Father  says  he  will  bring  to  pass,  and 
which  he  has  appointed  us  to  do?  Oh,  for  Isaiah's 
zeal  and  faith,  and  success  will  abundantly  crown  our 
eflbrts. 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  31 


V. 

Love  to  God  and  Covetousness  Opposites. 


"  For  with  their  mouth  they  shew  much  love,  but  their  heart  goeth 
after  their  covetousness."     (Ezekiel  xxxiii.  31.) 

It  is  no  uncommon  thing  for  men  to  profess  to  be 
what  they  are  not.  All  men  profess  honesty,  truthr 
fulness,  and  fairness ;  but  facts  show  that  many  are 
unfair,  untruthful,  and  dishonest.  It  is  also  true  t^at 
the  conduct  of  many  toward  God  contradicts  their  pro- 
fessions. It  would  be  difficult  to  find  a  man  who 
will  confess  that  he  is  God's  enemy;  and  y^t  the 
Bible  teaches  that  many  are  his  enemies.  In  the  face 
of  these  facts,  who  would  expect  to  find  a  person  who 
will  acknowledge  that  he  is  covetous,  especially  one 
who  is  a  professor  of  religion  ?  And  yet  that  there  are 
many  such  in  the  world,  and  even  in  the  church,  there 
can  be  no  doubt.  It  is  a  sad  truth  that  too  many  who 
name  the  name  of  Christ,  like  those  described  in  the 
text,  speak  one  thing  but  do  another,  "For, with  their 
mouth  they  shew  much  love,  but  their  heart  goeth 
after  their  covetousness." 

The  prophet  here  describes  the  conduct  of  a  gen- 
uine hypocrite,  a  character  which  has  not  been  hard 
to  find  at  any  time  since  the  fall  of  Adam.  Such 
were  in  the  Jewish  church,  and  such  are  still  found 
among  Christians.      Hypocrisy  and  covetousness  are 


32  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

not  antagonistic,  but  are  often  closely  allied,  and  not 
unfrequently  are  partners  in  the  same  crimes,  the  one 
covering  up  the  deformity  of  the  other,  and  both 
striving  to  withhold  justice  and  perpetrate  wrong. 
When  found  in  a  professor  of  religion,  their  deformity 
is  detestable  above  endurance.  Such  men  are  held  by 
all  as  most  dishonorable  and  wicked.  A  hypocritic- 
al, covetous  person  is  regarded  as  a  bad  citizen  and 
wholly  unworthy  a  place  in  the  Christian  church. 
.  The  Jews,  as  we  infer  from  the  language  of  the 
text,  made  it  a  point  to  speak  of  their  love  to  God 
and  his  cause.  It  may  be  they  had  meetings  similar 
to  our  speaking  or  love-feast  meetings,  when  they  es- 
pecially spoke  of  their  love  to  God.  Be  this  as  it 
may,  they  showed  much  love  with  their  mouth  while 
their  hearts  went  after  covetousness.  And  is  there 
not  a  similarity  between  them  and  some  professors  of 
religion  ?  Are  there  not  persons  to  be  found  in  al- 
most any  community  who  are  very  ready  to  speak  of 
their  love  to  God  and  his  cause,  but  who  nevertheless 
show  that  they  think  much  more  of  the  world  than 
of  God  and  heaven?  The  very  small  contributions 
which  they  give  to  Christ's  cause  show  it. 

And  first,  what  is  covetousness  ?  It  is  an  inordinate 
desire  to  obtain  what  we  have  not  and  to  retain  what 
we  have.  That  it  is  a  great  and  damning  sin  is  shown 
from  its  fruits  as  well  as  God's  word.  It  leads  to  false- 
hood, theft,  fraud,  robbery,  murder,  and  almost  every 
species  of  crime  against  God  and  humanity.  It  blunts 
our  moral  susceptibilities  and  all  the  finer  feelings  of 
our  nature,  and  makes  its  possessor  hard-hearted  and 
cruel.  It  was  this  which  caused  Judas  to  betray 
Christ,  for  he  wanted  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver;  this 
which  caused  Ananias  and  Sapphira   his  wife  to  lie  to 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  33 

the  Holy  Ghost,  for  they  wished  to  retain  a  part  of 
their  possession,  and  which  led  Felix  to  hold  Paul  a 
prisoner,  for  he  hoped  that  money  would  be  given  for 
his  release. 

This,  too,  often  leads  to  war.  One  country  covets 
territory  belonging  to  another,  and  under  pretense 
of  vindicating  its  honor,  or  maintaining  its  right, 
war  is  made  not  unfrequently.  This  also  leads  to 
slavery.  Men  covet  ease,  superiority,  and  authority, 
and  to  secure  these  they  will,  when  permitted,  make 
slaves  of  their  fellow-men.  In  short,  there  is  no 
crime  too  great  for  the  demon  of  covetousness.  It 
makes  justice  void,  outrages  the  rights  of  others,  and 
closes  the  soul  against  the  wants  of  humanity. 

That  it  is  a  great  evil  is  evident  also  from  the  fact  that 
the  divine  word  most  severely  denounces  and  punishes 
it.  See  how  summarily  and  terribly  God  punished 
Achan,  and  Gehazi,  and  Ananias  and  his  wife,  and 
others  whose  history  and  end  are  recorded  in  the 
Bible.  Consider  also  the  fact  that  this  sin  is  put  in 
the  same  catalogue  with  the  greatest  crimes ;  and  it  is 
said  of  all  who  perpetrate  them  that  they  shall  not  in- 
herit the  kingdom  of  heaven.  "Nor  thieves,  nor  cov- 
etous, nor  drunkards,  nor  revilers,  nor  extortioners, 
shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God."  Now  here  in 
this  one  text  both  the  covetous  and  extortioners  are 
spoken  of,  extortion  being  the  result  of  covetousness ; 
and  the  most  emphatic  language  is  employed  to  de- 
nounce both,  and  declare  that  they  shall  not  inherit 
heaven.  If  the  Bible  be  true,  no  crime  in  all  the 
range  of  sins  will  more  effectually  close  heaven  against 
men  than  this.  But  terrible  as  it  is,  yet  many,  and 
even  professors  of  religion,  are  covetous.  In  this  selfish, 
dark,  damning  path  they  travel,  notwithstanding  the 


34  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS   ON 

ruin  they  thereby  bring  upon  themselves  and  others. 
How  to  get  and  how  to  keep  is  the  burden  of  their 
thoughts  by  day  and  of  their  dreams  by  night.  And 
though  the  plaintive  voices  of  the  needy  may  ring  in 
their  ear,  and  the  benevolent  institutions  of  Christian- 
ity may  be  pining  and  dying  for  want  of  help,  yet  they 
close  their  ears  and  their  hearts  against  them  all,  and 
continue  to  hoard  their  pelf.  The  most  touching  ap- 
peals may  be  made,  and  objects  of  the  greatest  import- 
ance may  be  pressed  upon  their  sympathies,  yet  they 
steel  their  hearts  against  all  entreaty  and  shut  up  the 
bowels  of  their  compassion  from  suffering  humanity 
and  all  benevolent  claims  to  gratify  their  covetousness. 

Describe  to  such  the  love  of  Christ  and  his  benev- 
olence in  saving  men,  the  wretchedness  of  the  heathen 
world  without  the  gospel,  and  that  it  alone  can  elevate 
them ;  show  from  the  word  of  God  and  the  condi- 
tion of  the  spiritual  destitute  that  it  is  their  duty  to 
give  their  money  to  send  forth  missionaries ;  present 
to  them  motives  high  as  heaven,  and  urge  them  from 
every  consideration  possible  to  lend  a  helping  hand, 
and  what  is  the  result  ?  Why,  they  tighten  their 
purse-strings  and  press  their  gold  closer  to  their 
hearts  than  ever.  They  will  gratify  their  covetous- 
ness, and  will  hold  on  to  their  money  at  the  risk  of 
being  damned  for  it.  Yea,  they  will  sacrifice  a  good 
conscience,  the  smiles  of  Christ,  and  their  hope  of 
heaven,  rather  than  part  with  their  money  for  benevo- 
lent purposes. 

That  such  persons  can  be  in  favor  with  God  is  a 
moral  impossibility.  Such  a  state  of  heart  is  just  as 
unlike  Christ  as  it  is  possible  to  be.  Religion  invaria- 
bly enlarges  the  heart  and  fills  it  with  sympathy  and 
good-will  for  others.     The  first  emotion  of  a  newly- 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  35 

converted  soul  is,  How  may  I  do  good  to  others? 
how  may  I  win  sinners  to  Christ?  how  may  I  build 
up  the  cause  of  Christianity  ?  how  can  I  do  the  most 
good,  let  the  sacrifice  be  what  it  may  ?  It  is  not  un- 
til men  who  have  been  truly  converted  have  lost  their 
first  love  that  they  become  so  selfish  and  covetous. 
The  text  puts  love  to  God  and  covetousness  directly 
against  each  other.  Both  can  not  dwell  in  the  soul  at 
the  same  time  any  more  than  can  the  Lord  and  Satan 
dwell  together.  Every  true  Christian  has,  in  some  de- 
gree at  least,  the  mind  that  was  in  Christ,  and  hence 
some  of  the  benevolence  that  caused  him  to  die  for 
man;  and  when  such  a  one  looks  out  upon  suftering 
humanity,  especially  the  millions  of  heathen  who  are 
without  the  gospel,  and  remembers  that  Christ  said, 
"  Teach  all  nations,"  his  heart  will  be  moved  to  ten- 
derness and  his  money  will  be  given  to  the  extent  of 
his  ability  to  send  them  the  gospel.  How  strikingly 
was  this  illustrated  by  the  early  Christians.  They 
sold  their  possessions,  "  and  brought  the  prices  of  the 
things  that  were  sold,  and  laid  them  down  at  the 
apostles'  feet :  and  distribution  was  made  unto  every 
man  according  as  he  had  need."  They  counted  all 
things  loss  for  the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of 
Christ  Jesus  the  Lord. 

True,  covetousness  overcame  some  of  them,  as  in 
the  case  of  Ananias  and  his  wife,  who  were  so  sud- 
denly destroyed  for  their  sin.  They,  like  some  people 
now,  wanted  the  name  of  being  benevolent  but  were 
unwilling  to  give  the  money  to  constitute  them  such, 
and  to  conceal  their  covetousness  lied  to  the  Holy 
G-host  and  were  killed.  If  God  would  deal  with  cov- 
etous men  now  as  he  did  with  these,  many  would  still 
be  struck  down.     They  only  withheld  a  part  of  their 


36  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

possessions  and  told  one  lie,  and  for  this  God  killed  them. 
They  must  have  given  a  considerable  portion  of  it,  for 
the  rest  were  giving  all ;  but  many  now  keep  all,  or 
nearly  all  they  have,  and  tell  more  than  one  lie  some- 
times to  cover  up  their  covetousness. 

What  are  our  hearts  going  after  ?  Do  we  talk  love 
to  God,  but  act  contrary  to  it  ?  The  question  is  not 
what  we  say  or  profess,  but  what  are  we  doing?  If 
our  hearts  "go  after  covetousness,"  then  we  do  not 
love  God  as  we  ought,  nor  do  we  pay  for  his  cause  as 
he  has  given  us  ability.  We  are  to  pay  as  the  Lord 
has  prospered  us.  Where  much  is  given  much  will 
be  required,  which  is  altogether  reasonable.  Oh,  how 
terrible  indeed  if  we  should  be  so  unwise  and  covetous 
as  to  miss  heaven  at  last !  May  a  kind  God  give  us 
so  much  of  his  love  as  to  destroy  all  selfishness  and 
worldliness,  and  enable  us  to  love  him  with  our  mouths, 
hearts,  and  property. 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  37 


VI. 

Light  and  Beneficence  of  Christianity. 


"  Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good 
works,  and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven."     (Matt.  v.  16.) 

This  text  presupposes  two  thiugs :  (1)  That  Chris- 
tians possess  light;  (2)  that  they  perform  good 
works.  In  the  fourteenth  verse  it  is  said,  Christians 
being  addressed,  "  Ye  are  the  light  of  the  world ;"  and 
in  the  text  they  are  told  how  to  use  or  what  to  do 
with  their  light;  namely,  let  it  "  so  shine  before  men, 
that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and  glorify  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven."  Christians  are  to  live 
with  special  reference  to  the  salvation  of  others.  In 
other  words,  they  are  to  so  exemplify  the  excellences 
of  the  Christian  religion  as  to  arrest  the  attention, 
excite  the  admiration,  and  win  the  affections  of  the 
irreligious  to  Christ.  They  should  let  the  light  of 
kindness,  truth,  and  liberality  shine,  and  thus  repre- 
sent both  the  life  and  precepts  of  the  Savior. 

Christ  is  himself  called  the  Light  of  the  world,  and 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness,  and  very  appropriately,  for 
he  is  to  the  moral  world,  in  respect  to  light,  what  the 
natural  sun  is  to  the  physical  world.  Much  of  the 
light  which  we  receive  from  the  sun  comes  to  us  in  a 
secondary  sense,  or  in  an  indirect  manner.  He  shines 
upon  the   moon  and   other   planets,  and  they   reflect 


33  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

their  light  upon  the  earth.  As  the  moon  may  shine 
brightly  with  the  light  which  it  receives  from  the  sun, 
though  it  be  but  a  borrowed  light,  so  also  may  Chris- 
tians shine  by  reflecting  the  light  which  they  receive 
from  Christ. 

The  analogy  existing  between  Christ  and  the  Chris- 
tian, the  sun  and  the  moon,  is  very  striking,  beautiful, 
and  instructive.  When  the  moon  is  full,  or  fully  seen 
by  us,  how  very  pleasant  and  serviceable  its  light! 
When  the  Savior  said  to  his  followers,  "Ye  are  the 
light  of  the  world,"  "Let  your  light  so  shine  be- 
fore men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works,"  he 
meant  that  they  should  not  be  quarter  moons,  or  half 
moons,  but  full  moons;  that  is,  that  they  be  fully  in 
the  light  themselves  and  then  reflect  that  light  upon 
all  around  them.  The  light  of  the  moon  is  often  ob- 
structed so  that  it  reflects  little  or  none  upon  us.  So 
also  is  the  light  of  Christians  often  so  obscured  that 
but  little  or  none  is  to  be  seen.  Both  shining  with  a 
borrowed  light,  they  only  can  impart  it  in  proportion 
as  they  receive  it.  When  Christians  possess  but  little 
light  they  can  reflect  but  little;  and  this  accounts  for 
the  fact  that  their  light  often  shines  so  dimly. 

The  reason  they  have  so  little  light  is  not  because 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness  does  not  shine  constantly, 
but  it  is  because  they  allow  his  light  to  be  obscured. 
They  permit  the  things  of  the  world  to  get  between 
them  and  Christ;  yea,  sometimes  they  are  found  so 
far  down  in  the  dark  ravines  of  disobedience  that  the 
rays  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  can  not  reach  them 
at  all.  They  are  so  completely  hidden  away  in  the 
thickets  of  sin  and  darkness  that  it  is  impossible  to  let 
their  light  shine.     To  all  such  the  call  from  heaven  is, 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  39 

"Awake,  thou  that  sleepest,  and  arise  from  the  dead, 
and  Christ  shall  give  thee  light."  "In  him  was  life; 
and  the  life  was  the  light  of  men." 

That  Christians  may  discharge  the  duty  enjoined  in 
the  text,  the  life  of  Christ  must  pervade  their  souls 
and  impel  them  to  every  good  word  and  work.  Gen- 
uine godliness  must  be  a  living,  growing  principle 
within,  permeating  their  whole  being,  making  them 
"  living  epistles,  known  and  read  of  all  men."  With- 
out this  their  profession  of  religion  and  routine  of 
Christian  duty,  however  good,  will  be  useless,  so  far  aa 
it  relates  to  their  happiness  and  usefulness.  Without 
this  a  professor  of  religion  is  like  a  watch  without  a 
mainspring.  A  watch  may  have  a  case  of  pure  gold, 
the  wheels  and  all  within  may  be  of  the  best  material 
and  in  perfect  adjustment,  but  if  there  is  no  main- 
spring it  is  a  useless  piece  of  property  so  far  as  regards 
accomplishing  the  end  for  which  it  is  intended.  The 
object  of  a  watch  is  to  keep  time,  or  to  point  to  where 
the  sun  is,  so  that  in  cloudy  weather  and  at  night  we 
may  know  our  whereabouts. 

So  Christians  should  point  to  Christ,  and  let  their 
light  so  shine  as  to  show  him  to  the  world  amid  the 
darkness  which  covers  it.  How  beautiful  the  saying 
of  a  certain  writer  that  Christ  has  taken  our  natures  to 
heaven  to  represent  us  there,  and  left  us  his  on  earth 
to  represent  him  here.  Christians  are  his  representa- 
tives in  this  world,  and  are  expected,  like  their  Mas- 
ter, to  let  their  light  so  shine  before  men,  that  they 
may  see  their  good  works,  and  glorify  their  Father 
which  is  in  heaven.  The  godly  lives  and  self-deny- 
ing acts  of  Christians  often  do  more  to  win  men  to 
Christ   than  the  most  convincing  argument.     Tliere 


40  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

is  argument  in  such  a  life  that  can  not  be  successfully 
controverted.  The  system  of  salvation  through  the 
atoning  merits  of  Christ  needs  to  be  taught  theoretic- 
all}',  but  it  is  quite  as  important  that  it  be  exemplified 
or  illustrated  practically  in  the  lives  of  Christians. 

Good  works  are  positively  required  in  the  Holy 
Scriptures;  not  as  a  means  by  which  to  procure 
merit  through  which  we  may  be  saved, — for  it  is  "  not 
by  works  of  righteousness  which  we  have  done,  but 
according  to  his  mercy  he  saved  us,  by  the  washing  of 
regeneration,  and  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost,"  that 
our  salvation  is  secured, — but  as  a  means  by  which  to 
save  others;  "that  they  may  see  your  good  works, 
and  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven."  In  this 
way  the  superiority  of  the  gospel  system  over  other 
systems  may  be  shown.  No  religion  impels  its  follow- 
ers to  the  performance  of  good  works  for  the  benefit 
of  others  as  does  the  religion  of  Christ.  He  "gave 
himself  for  us  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all  iniq- 
uity and  purify  unto  himself  a  peculiar  people  zealous 
of  good  works."  Being  made  zealous  doers  of  good 
works  is  the  result  of  being  redeemed  from  all  iniqui- 
ty, and  being  redeemed  from  all  iniquity  is  the  result 
of  Christ  giving  himself  for  us,  and  Christ  giving 
himself  for  us  is  the  result  of  God's  infinite  love  to- 
ward man. 

The  positive  manner  in  which  good  works  are  en- 
joined in  the  New  Testament,  and  the  numerous  im- 
portant ends  accomplished  by  them,  both  in  behalf  of 
those  by  whom  and  for  whom  they  are  performed, 
show  how  essential  they  are  in  the  Christian  life.  The 
text  plainly  shows  both  the  duty  and  object  of  good 
works.     It  does  not  say  that  they   may  see  or  hear 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  41 

your  good  professions,  or  prayers,  or  promises,  but 
see  your  good  works.  Good  works  must  exist  before 
they  can  be  seen;  yea,  they  must  be  of  so  frequent 
occurrence,  and  stand  out  so  prominently  as  to  form  a 
part  of  every-day  life,  so  that  the  man's  history  could 
not  be  written  without  reference  to  them.  There  are 
professors  of  religion  who  have  been  such  for  twenty 
or  thirty  years,  whose  history  eould  be  truthfully  writ- 
ten without  saying  good  works  once. 

We  have  a  striking  illustration  of  the  power  of 
good  works  in  the  life  of  Christ.  He  went  about 
doino-  good  in  every  way  possible  to  all  who  needed 
help;  and  so  blameless  was  his  conduct  that  he  could 
say  to  his  worst  enemies,  "  Which  of  you  convinceth 
me  of  sin,"  and,  "He  that  hath  seen  me  hath  seen  the 
Father?"  He  did  good  to  those  who  did  evil  to  him. 
He  blessed  those  who  cursed  him,  and  gave  his  whole 
life  to  acts  of  benevolence  for  man's  good.  His  was 
more  than  passive  goodness;  it  was  active  and  self- 
sacrificing,  impelling  him  to  incessant  toil  and  great 
privation  in  behalf  of  others.  But  what  kind  of  good 
works  are  Christians  to  perform  ? 

(1.)  All  such  charitable  deeds  as  are  necessary  to 
supply  the  temporal  wants  of  the  poor  and  unfor- 
tunate. There  is  light  in  fuel  to  burn,  clothes  to 
wear,  and  food  to  eat  when  given  to  some  poor  widow 
or  afflicted  family  who  has  a  hard  time  to  get  along  in 
the  world;  also  in  advancing  the  wages  of  indus- 
trious laborers,  when  it  can  be  done,  and  assisting 
them  by  loaning  them  money  to  secure  a  home.  A 
young  man— an  habitual  drunkard— with  a  wife  and 
two  children  was  found  drunkone  cold  night  by  the 
wayside,  and  would  in  all  probability  have  frozen  to 


42  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

death  but  for  the  fact  that  he  was  helped  to  his  home. 
The  man  in  whose  cabin  he  lived  sent  for  him  the 
next  day,  and  instead  of  saying  to  him,  as  he  expect- 
ed, "You  are  a  miserable  drunkard,  and  must  get  out 
of  my  house,"  he  said,  "John,  I  sent  for  you  to  help 
you  buy  a  home.  You  can  buy  neighbor  B.'s  farm 
very  cheap  now,  and  I  will  loan  you  money  to  make 
the  first  payment.  You  are  to  become  a  sober  man, 
and  move  to  the  farm  and  make  the  money  for  the 
second  and  third  payments,  and  then  you  are  to  pay 
me  back  what  I  loan  you  with  six  percent  interest; 
and  thus  you  can  obtain  a  home."  After  protesting 
against  such  an  undertaking  for  awhile,  John  did  as 
he  was  told — bought  the  farm.  He  did  reform  and  go 
to  work,  and  paid  for  that  farm  and  several  others.  He 
raised  a  large  and  respectable  family;  and  now  at  the 
age  of  eighty  he  is  quite  wealthy,  and  liberal  in  support- 
ing the  gospel.  His  benefactor  has  been  dead  many 
years;  but  though  dead,  he  still  lives  in  the  aliections 
of  this  man  and  others  whom  he  thus  helped  and 
saved  from  infamy,  poverty,  and  sin. 

(2.)  Such  acts  of  charity  as  are  necessary  to  sustain 
the  institutions  of  Christianity.  To  support  Sabbath- 
schools  with  our  money  and  by  our  presence,  and 
ministers  in  the  same  way,  helping  to  build  houses  of 
worship,  giving  aid  to  the  Bible,  tract,  and  temper- 
ance cause,  ministering  to  the  spiritual  wants  of  the 
afflicted,  and  laboring  to  lead  the  irreligious  to  the 
church  and  to  Christ,  are  good  works  that  we  are  to 
let  others  see.  "Where  there  is  a  society  of  professors 
•of  religion  in  which  each  one  is  a  living,  working 
Christian,  taking  a  lively  interest  in  the  prosperity  of 
Zion,  there  will  go  out  from  it  a  power  for  good  which 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  43 

will  be  felt,  and  that  will  draw  others  to  its  fold.  Its 
good  works  will  be  seen  and  felt  in  the  check  which 
it  puts  to  wickedness,  the  attractions  it  gives  to  relig- 
ion, and  the  souls  it  leads  from  sin  to  holiness. 

(3.)  Such  good  works  as  are  necessary  to  enlighten 
the  heathen,  and  induce  them  to  accept  salvation. 
"Let  your  light  so  shine  before  men,"  even  the 
heathen,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and 
thereby  be  led  to  renounce  heathenism  and  espouse 
Christianity.  A  young  African,  who  had  but  a  short 
time  before  accepted  Christ  as  his  Savior,  said  to  the 
writer,  "  Massa,  we  black  people  in  Africa  ought  to  be 
very  good  and  thankful  to  God."  Asking  him  why 
he  felt  so,  he  replied,  "You  people  in  America  do  so 
much  for  us.  You  come  as  missionaries,  and  pay 
much  money,  and  you  be  sick  a  good  deal,  and  all  for 
our  good.  We  ought  to  love  you,  and  love  the  Lord 
because  he  sent  you."  He  was  quite  an  ignorant 
youth  of  about  nineteen  years  of  age,  who  in  less  than 
one  year  afterward  died  and  gave  good  evidence  of 
faith  in  Christ.  Spending  money,  and  going  to 
them,  and  suffering  for  them,  was  a  light  causing  him 
to  see  good  works  which  led  him  to  glorify  God. 
Millions  of  heathen  remain  to  be  thus  led  to  Christ 
and  to  heaven. 


44  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 


VII. 

Christ's  Compassion  for  Sinners. 


"  But  when  he  saw  the  multitudes,  he  was  moved  with  compas- 
sion on  them,  because  they  fainted,  and  were  scattered  abroad,  as 
sheep  having  no  shepherd.  Then  saith  he  unto  his  disciples,  The 
harvest  truly  is  plenteous,  but  the  laborers  are  few ;  pray  ye  therefore 
the  Lord  of  the  harvest,  that  he  will  send  forth  laborers  into  his  har- 
vest."    (Matt.  ix.  36,  37,  38.) 

Pity  for  man  was  predominant  in  the  heart  of  Jesus. 
This  was  the  mightiest  impulse  and  deepest  emotion 
of  his  life  upon  earth,  as  shown  by  his  tears  at  the 
grave  of  Lazarus,  and  by  his  exclamation,  "O  Jerusa- 
lem, Jerusalem,  thou  that  killest  the  prophets,  and 
stouest  them  which  are  sent  unto  thee,  how  often  would 
I  have  gathered  thy  children  together,  even  as  a  hen 
gathereth  her  chickens  under  her  wings,  and  ye  would 
not !"  It  was  not  merely  as  a  philanthropist  that  Christ's 
bosom  heaved  with  emotion  and  that  he  shed  tears  of  ag- 
ony on  account  of  human  suffering,  but  as  the  Savior  of 
those  who  had  sinned,  and  upon  whom  God's  wrath 
was  resting.  It  was  man  as  a  sinner,  doomed  to  ever- 
lasting destruction,  more  than  as  a  mere  earthly  suf- 
ferer, that  called  forth  Christ's  compassion. 

To  him  a  sinner  was  the  most  pitiable  object  in  the 
universe.  He  understood  as  no  mere  human  being 
could  the  doom  which  awaited  such  as  received  not 
the  forgiving  mercy  and  regenerating  grace  of  God. 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  45 

Knowing  that  all  human  suft'ering  was  the  result  of 
sin,  and  understanding  the  cause  as  well  as  the  effect 
of  man's  guilt  before  God,  he  was  moved  with  the 
most  profound  pity  for  him.  Man  as  a  sinner  might 
have  excited  other  emotions  in  the  breast  of  Christ 
than  compassion.  His  wrath  as  an  outraged  Sovereign 
and  his  justice  as  an  inexorable  Judge  might  have  been 
called  forth ;  but  not  so,  "  he  was  moved  with  compas- 
sion on  them." 

This  spirit  of  compassion  which  caused  the  Savior 
to  yearn  over  sinners  is  what  Christians  need  and  must 
have  to  enable  them  to  perform  the  work  God  has  re- 
quired them  to  do  in  enlightening  and  saving  the  world. 
When  the  church  is  pervaded  and  swayed  by  this  im- 
pulse for  the  unconverted,  it  will  embrace  every  op- 
portunity, as  did  the  Master,  to  open  the  eyes  of  the 
blind,  and  to  turn  men  from  darkness  to  light  and  from 
the  power  of  Satan  to  God.  Then  will  the  church  send 
forth  an  abundance  of  laborers  into  the  field  to  gather 
the  harvest.  There  are  three  special  ways  in  which 
this  work  may  be  promoted ;  namely,  praying,  paying, 
and  going.  And  in  one  or  all  of  these  ways  every 
Christian  may  labor.  Woe  to  any  idler  in  the  pres- 
ence of  so  vast  a  harvest. 

If  we  have  felt  sin  to  be  the  terrible  thing  which  it 
is,  and  have  experienced  the  fullness  of  Christ's  love  in 
a  thorough  change  from  nature  to  grace,  then  we  can 
not  be  destitute  of  pity  for  the  unsaved.  A  sense  of 
personal  responsibility  and  service  to  God  and  to  our 
fellow-men  is  one  of  the  first  and  most  impressive 
thoughts  that  true  religion  awakens  in  the  soul.  Those 
who  have  not  experienced  this  have  not  obtained  that 
"godliness  which  is  profitable  to  all  things."    With 


46  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

this  principle  of  godliness  in  lively  exercise  we  will 
realize  that  the  measure  of  our  responsibility  to  en- 
lighten and  save  others  is  only  limited  by  our  ability 
to  accomplish  this  work. 

If  this  sense  of  obligation  to  God  and  sympathy  for 
man  were  as  general  and  profound  among  Christians 
as  it  should  be,  then  the  cause  of  missions  would  re- 
ceive much  more  earnest  support,  and  they  would  not 
be  so  cold  and  sluggish  in  their  prayers,  efforts,  and 
contributions  to  the  cause  of  the  world's  conversion. 
Then  would  the  church  be  more  generally  pervaded 
with  the  feeling  expressed  by  Paul  in  his  request  to  the 
Colossians,  when  he  desired  that  prayer  be  offered  for 
him,  that  God  would  open  a  door  of  utterance  to  speak 
the  mystery  of  Christ,  for  which  he  was  even  then  in 
bonds.  Though  a  prisoner  in  Rome,  he  longed  for  an 
open  door  of  utterance.  He  felt  he  ought  to  be  set  at 
liberty  more  for  the  sake  of  the  salvation  of  those  in 
sin  than  for  his  own  personal  enjoyment. 

But  what  is  the  relation  of  prayer  to  the  work  of 
the  world's  evangelization?  Prayer  constitutes  an  es- 
sential element  in  the  successful  prosecution  of  every 
work  relating  to  the  Christian  religion.  Other  relig- 
ions may  be  successfully  carried  forward  without  it ; 
but  the  Christian  can  not  so  much  as  exist,  much  less 
prosper,  without  it.  The  same  is  true  of  Christian 
missions.  They  can  not  prosper,  nor  will  they  long 
exist  without  prayer.  It  was  by  and  through  prayer 
that  they  were  inaugurated.  At  one  of  the  first  mis- 
sionary meetings  held  under  the  Christian  dispensation 
the  Master  breathed  upon  the  apostles  and  said,  "  Ee- 
ceive  ye  the  Holy  Ghost."  The  Holy  Ghost  also  se- 
lected the  laborers  and  sent  them  forth  in  answer  to 
prayer.     "  As  they  ministered  to  the  Lord,  and  fasted. 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  47 

the  Holy  Gliost  said,  Separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul 
for  the  work  whereunto  I  have  called  them.  And 
when  they  had  fasted  and  prayed,  and  laid  their  hands 
on  them,  they  sent  them  away.  So  they,  being  sent 
forth  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  departed  unto  Seleucia;  and 
from  thence  they  sailed  to  Cyprus."  From  that  day 
till  the  present  this  same  potent  agency  has  attended 
all  successful  effort  in  behalf  of  the  salvation  of  men 
in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  God's  people. 

If  this  be  omitted,  then  missions  languish  and  die ; 
and  so  far  as  saving  men  is  concerned  they  are  an  ut- 
ter failure.  Our  gifts  and  labors  for  the  cause  of  mis- 
sions must  be  made  effective  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  in  answer  to  prayer.  The  Holy  Ghost  was 
poured  out  on  the  day  of  Pentecost  while  the  apostles 
were  praying;  and  not  until  this  was  done  were  they 
fitted  for  the  work  committed  to  them.  Prayer  has 
in  a  very  important  sense  planted  every  successful  mis- 
sion and  brought  into  the  kingdom  of  Christ  every 
heathen  convert.  With  this  coming  from  warm,  be- 
lieving hearts  and  holy  lips  there  can  be  no  failure ; 
without  it,  all  else  avails  but  little. 

The  Holy  Ghost  will  move  upon  the  valley  of  dry 
bones  and  bring  life  out  of  death  in  answer  to  prayer. 
It  will  make  the  truth  effectual  in  the  conviction,  con- 
version, and  sanctification  of  the  wicked.  It  will  also 
bring  about  the  result  for  which  we  are  requested  to 
pray — namely,  laborers.  We  should  pray  the  Lord  of 
the  harvest  that  the  right  ones  be  sent,  and  that  enough 
be  found  to  gather  the  harvest  speedily.  God  will 
hear  and  answer  prayer  for  the  speedy  conquest  of 
earth  to  his  Son.  Has  he  not  said  that  he  would  be 
inquired  of  by  the  house  of  Israel ;  and  is  he  not  able 
and  willing  to  give  this  world  to  Christ  for  his  inher- 


43  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS   ON 

itance  and  tne  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for  his  pos- 
session, in  answer  to  the  prayers  of  his  people  ? 

Christ  would  have  his  people  undertake  great  things 
for  him,  as  well  as  expect  great  things  from  him.  He 
would  have  them  labor  hopefully,  earnestly,  and  pray- 
erfully in  the  great  harvest-field  of  the  world,  believ- 
ing that  he  that  reapeth  receiveth  wages,  and  that  "as 
the  earth  bringeth  forth  her  bud,  and  as  the  garden 
causeth  the  things  that  are  sown  in  it  to  spring  forth, 
so  the  Lord  Grod  will  cause  righteousness  and  praise 
to  spring  fortli  before  all  the  nations."  "  The  glory  of 
the  Lord  shall  fill  the  earth,  as  the  waters  do  the  face 
of  the  great  deep."  Great  as  is  this  harvest,  it  will 
yet  be  gathered.  N^ever  before  did  steam-presses  print 
and  steam-ships  and  railroads  carry  so  rapidly  God's 
word;  and  never  before  did  word  come  back  to  us  from 
so  many  portions  of  the  earth  that  souls  are  saved. 

In  the  largest  and  most  elegant  hotel  in  Rome  there 
is  a  Bible  in  every  room.  At  the  world's  exposition  in 
Paris  there  was  an  open  Bible-stand,  where  Bibles 
were  sold  in  every  known  language,  or  given  away  to 
those  who  desired  them  in  that  way.  Once  much 
of  the  world  was  closed  to  us,  but  now  we  may  go  into 
every  heathen  laud  and  find  willing  hearts  and  souls 
to  hear  the  gospel.  In  China,  India,  Africa,  South 
America,  all  Europe,  and  upon  most  of  the  islands  of 
the  sea,  multitudes  are  stretching  out  their  hands  for 
help.     And  shall  they  call  in  vain? 

Are  the  obstacles  to  be  overcome  to  get  the  Bible  to 
them  or  to  make  it  efitective  in  their  salvation  greater 
than  those  which  have  been  surmounted?  Is  there  sin 
or  antagonism  of  any  kind  within  the  human  heart 
which  has  not  been  subdued  in  the  past  ?    Has  not  the 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  49 

gospel  in  other  times  and  countries  overcome  all  tlie 
superstition  and  evils  of  men  to  be  found  in  every 
country?  "Will  not  the  same  truth,  by  the  power  of 
the  same  Holy  Ghost  that  brought  to  naught  all  the 
devices  of  men  and  devils  to  overthrow  Christianity 
in  the  apostles'  day,  do  the  •  same  work  now  in  answer 
to  prayer?  Will  not  the  same  conquering  Clirist  still 
reign  "  until  all  enemies  are  put  under  his  feet,"  as  is 
predicted?  It  is  ours  to  labor,  and  to  pray  the  Lord 
of  the  harvest  to  send  forth  more  laborers  into  the 
harvest. 


50  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 


VIII. 

Teaching  All  Nations. 


"  Go  Te  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name 
of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost:  teaching  them 
to  observe  all  things  whatsoever  I  have  commanded  j'ou:  and,  lo,  I 
am  with  you  alway,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.  Amen."  (Matt, 
xxviii.  19,  20.) 

The  church  of  Christ  is  the  channel  through  which 
God  carries  forward  the  work  of  salvation  among  men  ; 
and  hence  our  welfare,  both  in  time  and  eternity,  is 
inseparably  connected  with  it.  But  for  it,  God  could 
no  more  endure  the  present  wickedness  of  earth  than 
he  did  that  of  Sodom  and  Gomorrah  because  ten  right- 
eous persons  were  not  found  in  it.  Viewed  from  this 
stand-point,  the  text  has  an  exceedingly  momentous 
significance.  Never  were  men  or  angels  charged  with 
a  commission  so  important — one  afiecting  so  vitally 
man's  present  and  eternal  welfare — as  the  one  given 
in  the  text.  To  teach  all  nations,  and  to  teach  them 
all  things  commanded  b}'  the  Savior,  was  and  is  the 
high  and  holy  calling  of  the  Christian  church. 

We  shall  consider  first  the  things  to  be  taught,  which 
maybe  classed  under  the  following  heads;  namely, the 
theory,  experience,  and  practice  of  religion.  These 
embrace  whatever  is  essential  to  proper  conceptions  of 
the  divine  character,  his  law  and  moral  government, 
man's  fall  through  Adam  and  his  redemption  through 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  51 

Christ,  as  well  as  the  conditions  of  salvation  proifered 
in  the  gospel.  In  short,  repentance  and  reformation, 
justification  and  regeneration,  holiness  of  heart  and 
usefulness,  the  resurrection  of  the  body  and  the  gen- 
eral judgment,  the  happiness  of  heaven  and  the  pun- 
ishment of  hell,  are  all  to  be  taught  and  deeply  im- 
pressed upon  the  minds  and  hearts  of  men. 

The  duty  of  prayer,  trust  in  God,  humility,  and  self- 
denial,  the  promises  and  precepts,  warnings  and  threat- 
enings,  duties  and  privileges,  ordinances  and  commands 
of  God's  word  are  to  be  taught,  and  so  far  as  practica- 
ble enforced  upon  the  people.  Christ  is  to  be  present- 
ed as  an  all-sufhcient,  yea,  as  the  only  Savior  of  men. 
He  must  be  held  up  before  the  world  in  all  his  labors, 
graces,  sufferings,  and  glory.  The  work  to  be  done 
by  the  Christian  church  is  to  know  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus,  and  so  to  communicate  it  to  others  as  to  make 
them  see  its  beauty,  feel  its  power,  and  by  it  be  led  to 
salvation.  Said  the  apostle,  "To  open  their  eyes,  and 
to  turn  them  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the 
power  of  Satan  unto  God,  that  they  may  receive  for- 
giveness of  sins,  and  inheritance  among  them  which 
are  sanctified  by  faith  that  is  in  me." 

The  method  by  which  this  is  to  be  done  is  chiefly 
through  the  preaching  of  the  gospel.  "  Go  ye  into 
all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel."  The  living 
teacher  is  to  go  forth  with  God's  living  truth,  and  by 
the  power  of  speech  impress  that  truth  upon  the  minds 
of  men  everywhere.  Speech  is  man's  best  gift.  It  is 
this  which  persuades  most  etfectually,  and  makes  dead 
thoughts  quick  and  powerful.  Hence  God  has  com- 
manded that  the  gospel  be  proclaimed.  The  written 
gospel  is  so  great  a  blessing  that  we  could  not  do  with- 
out it;  but  it  is  through  the  medium  of  a  preached 


52  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS   ON 

gospel  tliat  the  masses  are  to  be  instructed  and  won  to 
Christ.  The  living  teacher,  called  of  God  and  quali- 
fied, is  to  go  forth  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creat- 
ure. 

It  is  essential  that  such  have  a  correct  theory,  sound 
Christian  experience,  and  consistent  life.  Especially 
is  it  important  that  such  possess  a  deep  Christian  ex- 
perience. This  will  give  them  a  clearness  in  divine 
things,  a  love  for  souls,  and  to  their  lives  and  words  a 
power  which  can  not  be  obtained  otherwise.  ITothing 
will  so  free  men  from  sectarian  bigotry  and  fill  them 
with  Christian  forbearance  and  make  the  work  of  the 
ministry  pleasant  and  successful  as  a  deep,  growing 
Christian  experience.  With  this,  and  close  application 
to  the  study  of  God's  word,  their  preaching  will  be  in 
demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  power,  and  souls  will 
be  converted  to  God.  The  faithful  preaching  of  the 
gospel  will  as  certainly  lead  to  salvation  and  to  heaven 
as  that  eflect  follows  cause.  Ministers  should  remem- 
ber that  their  business  is  to  teach  religion;  not  to  dem- 
onstrate scientific  problems,  but  to  teach  the  religion 
of  Christ,  and  do  this  from  the  heart  as  well  as  from 
the  head. 

"  He  that  goeth  forth  and  weepeth,  bearing  precious 
seed,  shall  doubtless  come  again  with  rejoicing,  bring- 
ing his  sheaves  with  him."  It  is  he  that  goeth  forth 
and  weepeth,  bearing  precious  seed,  that  shall  doubt- 
less come  again  with  rejoicing,  bringing  his  sheaves 
with  him.  This  implies  deep  concern  of  heart,  im- 
portunate supplication  at  a  throne  of  grace-,  as  well  as 
diligent  study  of  the  Scriptures,  on  the  part  of  the 
minister.  He  must  be  well  furnished  with  the  precious 
seed  of  the  gospel,  and  should  so  cultivate  the  soil  of 
his  own  heart  that  he  may  by  precept  and  example 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  53 

show"  forth  the  excellency  of  the  gospel,  thereby 
strengthening  believers  and  constraining  sinners  to 
flee  the  wrath  to  come.  Diligence  in  prayer,  study, 
and  labor  alone  will  enable  ministers  to  obtain,  bear, 
and  scatter  successfully  the  precious  seed  of  the  gospel. 

The  extent  to  which  this  is  to  be  done  is  clearly  in- 
dicated in  the  language  of  the  text:  "Teach  all  na 
tions."  But  positively  as  this  is  taught  in  the  Script- 
ures, Christians,  and  even  ministers  not  a  few,  fail  to 
realize  that  it  is  duty  to  do  this  to  the  extent  of  their 
ability.  Many  seek  mostly  their  own  ease  and  grati- 
fication, and  do  little  or  nothing  for  the  spread  of  the 
gospel  into  all  the  world.  The  injunction,  "  Teach  all 
nations,"  does  not  enter  into  the  plans  of  the  Protest- 
ant churches  generally  as  fully  as  it  should.  Did 
ministers  and  people,  with  one  accord,  heartily  enter 
into  this  work,  we  would  soon  witness  very  difl'erent 
results.  Even  the  labor  performed  and  the  money  ex- 
pended would  in  some  instances  accomplish  vastly 
more  did  Christians  unite  their  efforts  in  promoting 
Christianit}^,  which  they  doubtless  would  do  did  they 
more  fully  feel  it  to  be  duty  to  give  the  gospel  to  all 
the  world. 

Money  and  labor  are  wasted.  In  many  villages  we 
find  four  and  five  churches,  while  two  or  three  would 
meet  every  want.  In  some  places  five  and  six  minis- 
ters are  employed  to  do  the  work  which  two  or  three 
are  fully  able  to  perform.  If  Christians  would  lay 
aside  their  strait-jackets  and  sectarian  folly  and  be 
as  willing  to  hear  the  truth  preached  from  the  lips  of 
others  as  from  those  of  their  own  denomination,  fewer 
houses  of  worship  and  ministers  would  be  needed  in 
our  country;  and  the  money  thus  saved  might  be  used 
in  sending  the  gospel  to  the  destitute  and  heathen. 


54  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

The  Moravian  Church  comes  nearest  carrying  out 
the  idea  that  it  is  our  duty,  so  far  as  this  is  possible,  of 
any  church  in  this  country,  to  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature.  It  labors  more  diligently  to  give  the 
gospel  to  the  heathen  than  to  increase  its  numbers  at 
home.  The  question  with  it  seems  to  be  not  liovv  it 
may  multiply  its  membership  most  rapidly  at  home, 
but  how  it  may  enlighten  and  save  the  largest  number 
who  are  without  the  gospel  Its  communicants  in 
Christian  lands  number  about  thirty  thousand,  but  in 
heathen  lands  nearly  one  hundred  thousand.  Did  we 
put  forth  more  eftbrt  to  give  the  gospel  to  the  heathen, 
we  would  more  fully  accomplish  the  work  given  us  by 
Christ.  ISTot  less  work  at  home,  but  much  more  abroad, 
should  be  our  motto. 

Encouragements  to  engage  in  this  work.  God  has 
assured  us  that  it  should  be  done,  and  that  he  will 
help  to  do  it.  "  My  word  shall  not  return  unto  me 
void,  but  it  shall  accomplish  that  which  I  please." 
''  Ask  of  me,  and  I  shall  give  thee  the  heathen  for  thine 
isiheritance,  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the  earth  for 
thy  possession."  "For  he  must  reign  till  all  enemies 
are  put  under  his  feet."  The  predictions  and  promises 
of  God's  word  concerning  this  are  so  positive  as  to  ex- 
clude all  doubt  respecting  his  purpose  to  subdue  the 
world  to  Christ;  and  no  one  will  for  a.moment  ques- 
tion his  power  to  bring  it  to  pass.  Moreover,  the 
achievements  of  Christianity  in  the  past  are  a  fuU 
warrant  that  it  will  continue  to  achieve  conquests  un- 
til the  kingdoms  of  this  world  become  the  kingdoms 
of  our  Lord  and  his  Christ. 

The  promi&e  of  the  text,  that  Christ  will  be  with 
those  who  engage  in  this  work,  should  greatly  en- 
courage us.     While  it  is  true  that  in  an  important  sense 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  55 

Christ  is  everywhere  present,  it  is  also  true  that  his 
gracious,  comforting,  helping  presence  is  especially  with 
his  people  in  their  efforts  to  extend  his  kingdom.  He 
is  with  them  as  Teacher,  Guide,  Comforter,  Interces- 
sor, and  Victor  ;  so  that  with  Paul  we  may  say,  "I  can 
do  all  things  through  Christ,  which  strengtheneth  me." 
How  manifestly  was  the  Master  with  the  a];)ostles  dur- 
ing the  protracted  prayer-meeting  at  Jerusalem,  soon 
after  his  ascension  to  heaven;  with  them  on  tlie  day 
of  Pentecost;  with  them  as  they  went  forth  to  preach 
the  gospel.  And  he  is  no  less  with  his  faithful  minis- 
ters and  servants  now  as  they  seek  to  promote  his  king- 
dom in  heathen  lands. 

During  the  first  French  empire  Napoleon  Bonaparte 
was  France,  army,  government,  and  all.  He  was  called 
the  100,000,  because  his  presence  on  the  battle-Held 
was  regarded  as  being  equal  to  that  number  of  soldiers. 
When  he  heard  of  the  destruction  of  his  navy,  which 
was  on  the  same  day  that  the  scepter  of  Prussia  was 
surrendered  to  him,  he  remarked,  "I  can't  be  every- 
where,"— as  much  as  if  he  had  said,  "Had  I  been  there 
this  calamity  would  not  have  befallen  me ;  I  could  have 
prevented  such  a  disaster,"  Thank  God,  we  have  a 
Leader  that  can  be  everywhere,  and  who  can  so  wisely 
direct  all  who  tight  under  him  as  to  lead  to  certain 
victory.  He  is  the  church  in  a  much  higher  sense 
than  Napoleon  Bonaparte  ever  was  France.  His  Zion 
shall  look  "forth  as  the  morning,  fair  as  the  moon, 
clear  as  the  sun,  and  terrible  as  an  army  with  banners," 
until  the  whole  earth  is  filled  with  the  glory  of  the 
Lord. 


56  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 


IX. 

Preaching  the  Gospel  to  Every  Creature. 


"And  he  said  unto  them,  Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the 
gospel  to  every  creature."     (Mark  xvi.  15.) 

Our  Lord  while  upon  earth,  both  by  precept  and  ex- 
ample, showed  the  importance,  yea,  the  duty  of  preach- 
ing the  gospel  to  every  creature.  During  his  three 
years  of  public  life  he  traveled  over  G-alilee,  visited 
Jerusalem  at  three  different  times,  and  spent  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  time  at  Capernaum,  a  neighboring 
town,  preaching  the  gospel.  He  also  went  beyond 
the  River  Jordan  and  remained  several  months, 
whence  he  sent  out  his  disciples  at  different  times  to 
extend  the  work  of  evangelization.  The  Savior  was 
in  the  true  sense  of  the  word  an  itinerant  missionary, 
having  as  his  mission-ffeld  a  country  with  a  population 
of  several  millions  of  people. 

His  first  ministers  largely  possessed  this  same  spirit, 
and  sought  every  opportunity  to  communicate  the  good 
news  of  salvation  to  those  with  whom  they  came  in 
contact.  Andrew  told  Peter,  "  We  have  found  the 
Messias,  which  is,  being  interpreted,  the  Christ." 
Philip  told  N"athaniel,  "  We  have  found  him  of  whom 
Moses  in  the  law  and  the  prophets  did  write,  Jesus  of 
j^azareth."  The  woman  of  Samaria,  who  met  Christ 
at  Jacob's  well,  told  the  people,  "  Come,  see  a  man, 
which  told  me  all  things  that  ever  I  did :  is  not  this 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  57 

the  Christ?"  When  the  church  at  Jerusalem  was 
scattered  by  persecution,  they  also  went  everywhere 
preaching  Jesus  and  the  resurrection. 

We  have  an  excellent  iUustration  of  the  true  mis- 
sionary spirit  in  the  life  and  labors  of  St.  Paul.  He, 
in  twenty-five  years,  traveled  over  a  large  part  ot  Asia 
and  Europe.  When  at  liberty  and  while  a  prisoner 
he  most  faithfully  preached  the  gospel  whenever  and 
wherever  this  was  practicable.  At  one  place  he  win- 
tered, at  another  he  spent  a  year  and  a  half,  and  at  a 
third  two  years,  preaching  to  all  who  came  within  his 
reach  ;  "  so  that  all  they  that  dwelt  in  Asia  heard  the 
word  of  the  Lord  J  esus."  The  example  of  Christ  and 
his  early  followers,  as  well  as  his  command,  all  teach 
that  the  first  business  of  Christians  after  being  con- 
verted is  to  give  the  gospel  to  the  spiritually  destitute. 

But  what  is  the  gospel?  It  is  the  result  of  Christ's 
work  for  us  while  he  lived  upon  earth,  his  sufl'ering 
for  us  when  dying  upon  Calvary,  and  his  intercession 
for  us  while  sitting  at  the  right  hand  of  God  in  heav- 
en, as  well  as  his  work  in  us  by  the  Holy  Spirit, 
whereby  he  enlightens,  renews,  and  sanctifies  our  na- 
tures. It  is  defined  to  be  "the  power  of  God  unto 
salvation  to  every  one  that  believeth."  In  short,  it  is 
health  to  the  sick,  life  to  the  dead,  and  an  inheritance 
which  is  incorruptible,  undefiled,  and  that  fadeth  not 
away,  reserved  in  heaven  for  all  God's  people.  No 
marvel  that  it  possessed  so  much  attraction  and  power 
in  the  apostles'  day,  and  ever  since  when  faithfully 
promulgated. 

The  word  preach,  or  preaching,  is  found  about  sixty 
times  in  the  New  Testament.  It  means  to  proclaim, 
or  make  known  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation;  or,  in 
other  words,  it  is  to  publicly  announce,  discuss,  and 


58  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

reason  upon  the  tlieme  of  redemption  as  wrought  out 
by  Christ.  As  Paul  "reasoned  of  righteousness,  tem- 
perance, and  judgment  to  come,  FeUx  trembled."  At 
Troas  he  "  continued  his  speech  until  midnight."  "  And 
there  sat  in  a  window  a  certain  young  man  named 
Eutychus,  being  fallen  into  a  deep  sleep  ....  and  fell 
down  from  the  third  loft,  and  was  taken  up  dead." 
Paul  went  down  and  restored  him  to  life,  and  came 
back  "  and  talked  a  long  while,  even  till  break  of  day." 

Preaching  the  gospel  is  truly  the  most  grand  and 
glorious  work  committed  to  man ;  and  no  marvel  that 
the  prophet,  when  foreseeing  the  happy  results  of  pro- 
claiming the  glorious  gospel  of  the  Son  of  God,  ex- 
claimed, "How  beautiful  upon  the  mountains  are  the 
feet  of  them  that  preach  the  gospel  of  peace."  It  is 
truly  beautiful  to  show  from  the  testimony  of  the 
Scriptures  and  a  truly  Christian  experience  the  power 
of  the  gospel,  as  did  Peter  on  the  day  of  Pentecost, 
and  as  Paul  did  when  he  said,  "  We  pray  you  in  Christ's 
stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God."  To  explain  and  ap- 
ply the  truth  of  God  to  the  hearts  and  lives  of  men 
so  as  to  reform  and  save  them  is  indeed  a  high  and 
holy  calling,  worthy  of  the  best  energies  that  the  best 
human  talent  can  bring  to  bear  upon  this  divinely-ap- 
pointed work. 

This  is  to  be  done  in  every  age  and  to  every  creature. 
Christians*  of  each  generation,  redeemed  b}^  the  same 
blood,  quickened  by  the  same  spirit,  and  acting  under 
the  same  general  commission,  have  the  same  duties  to 
perform  in  this  department  of  work.  The  soul-saving 
truth  of  the  gospel  is  to  be  proclaimed  with  proof  and 
argument  and  authority  and  the  unction  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  This  might  be  done  by  the  Christians  of  this 
century  more  easily  than  it  was  done  by  those  of  the 


iTHE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  59 

first  century ;  and  it  is  as  much  our  duty  to  do  it  as  it 
was  theirs.  Did  all  tell  the  good  news  of  salvation  to 
as  many  as  they  could  reach,  and  labor  with  the  ability 
they  have,  it  would  not  be  twenty-five  years  until  it 
would  be  done. 

The  church  is  much  stronger  now  than  ever  before. 
Its  facilities  for  Christian  labor  of  every  kind,  as  well 
as  its  wealth,  are  at  least  double  what  they  were  even 
a  few  years  ago.  It  could  put  50,000  missiouaries  into 
the  field  and  support  them,  if  it  would.  Fifty  thou- 
sand would  be  less  than  one  per  cent  of  the  member- 
ship of  evangelical  churches  in  Christian  lands.  Great 
Britain  sent  as  many  men  as  this  to  the  Crimea  to  take  a 
sinde  fortress.  Ten  times  this  number  fell  victims  to 
death  on  each  side  during  our  late  war.  Can  not  50,000 
redeemed  souls  be  found  who  will  give  themselves  fully 
to  the  work  of  winning  this  world  back  to  Christ? 

But  if  they  were  obtained,  could  they  be  supported  ? 
Yes;  easily,  if  all  gave  but  a  reasonable  amount.  Fif- 
ty thousand  at  $500  each  would  be  less  than  five  dollars 
from  each  member  of  the  evangehcal  churches  in  Eu- 
rope and  America.  England  spends  more  than  one 
half  of  this  for  intoxicating  drinks.  Our  late  war 
cost  hs  more  than  would  be  needed  to  put  missions  into 
every  heathen  land,  and  in  numbers  sufficient  to  preach 
the  gospel  ta  every  creature  in  a  short  time.  It  would 
not  require  all  the  money  in  the  hands  of  10,000  of 
the  wealthiest  Christians  now  living  to  plant  the  stand- 
ard of  Christ  in  every  land.  The  command,  "Preach 
the  gospel  to  every  creature,"  is  quite  within  the  power 
of  the  church  to  accomplish. 

The  success  of  the  last  fifty  years  shows  this  most 
clearly.  The  progress  made  by  missionaries  within 
the  last  half  century  far  exceeds  that  of  the  previous 


60  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

two  hundred  years ;  and  more  has  been  done  to  give 
the  Bible  to  the  world  during  this  time  than  was  done 
the  first  eight  or  ten  centuries  of  the  Christian  era. 
There  are  also  more  conversions  in  heathen  lands,  in 
proportion  to  the  number  of  laborers  employed,  than 
ever  before;  yea,  more  proportionately  than  in  Chris- 
tian lands.  It  costs  more  per  man  to  make  converts 
to  the  Christian  faith  in  England  and  the  United  States 
than  in  heathen  lands.  The  number  of  nominal  Chris- 
tians now  is  three  times  as  large  as  it  ever  was  before 
the  last  century. 

One  thing  is  often  forgotten  in  showing  the  success 
of  Christianity;  namely,  that  each  generation  of  chil- 
dren of  Christian  parents  have  to  be  Christianized. 
It  is  not  as  some  other  things, — once  done,  always 
done, — but  each  succeeding  generation  must  be  won 
to  Christ.  All  things  considered,  Christianity  has 
achieved  wonderful  results.  Indeed,  it  is  a  source  of 
devout  gratitude  to  God  that  so  much  has  been  done, 
and  that  there  are  so  many  hopeful  signs. 

But  it  is  sometimes  seriously  asked,  "Would  it  notbe 
better  for  the  cause  if  all  effort  for  the  evangelization 
of  the  world  were  concentrated  upon  some  favored 
places  until  such  lands  are  made  all  that  the  gospel 
is  capable  of  making  them?  This  is  not  the  wisest 
policy,  nor  the  best  method ;  nor  is  it  the  divine  order. 
The  command  was  to  commence  at  Jerusalem,  but  to 
go  from  there  into  all  the  world.  The  Savior  and  his 
apostles  went  everywhere,  preaching  repentance  and 
faith  and  reformation.  The  gospel  is  in  its  very  nature 
1  disseminative,  and  will  prompt  all  who  fully  adopt  its 
principles  to  diffuse  it.  Kot  until  the  last  heathen  is 
enlightened  can  it  or  ought  it  be  otherwise. 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  61 


X. 

Good  Tidings  Announced  by  the  Angels. 


"And  tlie  angel  said  unto  tliem,  Fear  not:  for,  behold,  I  bring  you 
good  tidings  of  great  joy,  which  shall  be  to  all  people.  For  unto  you 
is  born  this  day  in  the  city  of  David  a  Savior,  which  is  Christ  the 
Lord."     (Luke  ii.  10,  11.) 

"We  notice,  first,  angels  and  their  interest  in  man ; 
second,  the  good  tidings  mentioned  in  the  text;  third, 
the  duty  of  those  who  have  them  to  those  who  have 
them  not. 

I.  The  word  angel,  as  used  in  the  Scriptures,  does 
not  always  mean  a  denomination  of  nature,  but  some- 
times of  ofB.ce  merely.  Ministers  of  the  gospel  are 
called  angels;  Christ  is  called  the  Angel  of  the 
Covenant;  and  those  employed  by  God  to  execute  his 
judgments  are  also  called  angels.  That  there  is  a  dis- 
tinct class  of  beings,  high  in  rank  and  intelligence, 
known  as  angels,  and  that  they  were  frequently  em- 
ployed by  the  Almighty  in  the  earlier  periods  of  the 
world's  history,  to  communicate  his  will  to  man,  ad- 
mits of  no  doubt.  The  reason  why  they  are  no  lon- 
ger employed  thus  is,  there  no  longer  exists  a  necessity 
for  it.  All  that  is  necessary  for  man  to  know  respect- 
ing the  character  and  government  of  God,  his  ruin  by 
the  fall,  and  redemption  through  Christ,  as  well  as 
the  things  he  must  both  do  and  not  do  to  be  saved. 


62  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

are  clearly  revealed  in  the  Scriptures,  and  hence 
angels'  visits  for  this  purpose  have  ceased.  God's 
word  closes  with  a  most  positive  prohibition  not 
to  add  nor  to  take  away  from  the  record  which  he 
has  given. 

That  angels  are  still  deeply  concerned  for  our  wel- 
fare and  look  with  delight  upon  Christians,  rejoice  in 
their  prosperity,  and  administer  to  their  wants,  as  far 
as  they  are  permitted  to  do  this,  are  truths  clearly 
taught  in  God's  book.  "  The  angel  of  the  Lord  en- 
campeth  .around  about  them  that  fear  him,  and  deliv- 
ereth  them."  They  are  ministering  spirits  to  them 
who  shall  be  heirs  of  salvation.  They  watch  with  in- 
tense interest  the  conflict  that  is  going  on  between 
light  and  darkness,  sin  and  holiness,  and  are  ever 
ready  to  do  the  bidding  of  the  Almighty,  to  minister 
to  the  good  of  his  people  and  protect  them  in  time 
of  danger.  Angels  have  always  shown  a  deep  solic- 
itude for  man's  welfare.  ISTo  sooner  had  he  fallen  than 
they  wondered  who  should  or  who  could  redeem  him; 
and  when  they  learned  that  the  Lion  of  the  tribe  of 
Judah  had  prevailed  to  unseal  the  book  and  look  upon 
it,  they  rejoiced  exceedingly.  And  when  it  was  an- 
nounced to  them  that  the  promised  Messiah  was  born, 
their  joy  knew  no  bounds.  "And  there  was  suddenly 
with  the  angel  a  great  multitude  of  the  heavenly  host, 
praising  God  and  saying,  Glory  to  God  in  the  highest, 
and  on  earth  peace,  good  will  toward  men." 

It  is  also  said  that  there  is  more  joy  in  the  presence 
of  the  angels  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth  than  over 
ninety-nine  just  persons  which  need  no  repentance. 
We  are  not  to  infer  from  this  language  that  angels 
lack  interest  in  those  who  are  already  on  their  way  to 
heaven,  but  simply  that  because  of  the  new  trophies 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  63 

thus  won  to  Christ  they  have  new  and  increased 
grounds  for  rejoicing.  A  feeling  similar  to  this  is  ex- 
perienced by  Christians.  We,  too,  rejoice  more  over 
one  sinner  that  repents  than  over  many  Christians 
who  are  on  the  good  way;  not  that  we  lack  concern 
for  them,  but  because  new  conquests  are  made  and 
trophies  won  we  have  new  and  increased  grounds 
for  rejoicing.  This  same  principle  may  be  illustrated 
by  many  things  in  nature.  We  rejoice  more  over 
property  saved  from  conflagration,  when  greatly  en- 
dangered, than  over  many  times  its  value  which  was 
not  thus  exposed;  also,  over  one  friend  rescued  from 
imminent  danger  than  over  many  who  were  not  thus 
imperiled.  Now  it  may  be  on  this  same  principle  that 
there  is  more  joy  among  the  angels  in  heaven  over  one 
sinner  that  repenteth  than  over  ninety-nme  just  per- 
sons who  are  already  saved. 

(2)  The  good  tidings  announced  by  the  angels. 
And  what  were  they?  "For  unto  you  is  born  this 
day  in  the  city  of  David  a  Savior,  which  is  Christ  the 
Lord."  No  tidings  ever  greeted  human  ears  so 
good  as  these.  It  was  good  tidings  to  Adam  to  learn 
that  the  seed  of  the  woman  should  bruise  the  ser- 
pent's head,  and  to  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob  to 
know  that  in  their  seed  the  nations  of  the  earth  should 
be  blessed,  and  to  Job  that  his  Redeemer  liveth,  and 
to  David  that  the  heathen  should  be  given  to  Christ 
for  his  inheritance  and  the  uttermost  parts  of  the 
earth  for  his  possession,  and  to  Isaiah  to  know  that  a 
child  should  be  born  and  a  Son  given  who  should  bear 
upon  his  shoulders  the  government,  and  be  called  the 
mighty  God,  the  everlasting  Father,  the  Prince  of 
Peace,  and  to  Malachi  to  know  that  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness  should  rise  with  healing  in  his  wings. 


64  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

The  wliole  Old  Testament  is  full  of  good  tidings. 
The  writings  of  Moses,  the  psalms,  and  the  prophe- 
cies contain  good  tidings  to  man;  but  these,  in 
comparison  to  the  good  tidings  of  the  text,  are  as  the 
droppings  of  the  cloud  before  a  bountiful  shower,  or 
as  the  shadow  to  the  reality.  The  Old  Testament 
saints  had  a  Savior  in  types  and  promises,  but  we 
have  him  in  reality.  To  them  the  Sun  of  Righteous- 
ness should  arise:  to  us  he  has  arisen.  To  them  a 
fountain  should  be  opened  for  sin  and  uncleanness:  to 
us  that  fountain  has  been  opened.  Such  tidings 
might  well  cause  joy  among  angels. 

It  was  good  tidings  to  our  revolutionary  fathers  to 
learn  that  Cornwallis  had  surrendered,  and  that  they 
had  gained  their  independence.  It  was  good  tidings 
during  our  late  war,  to  hear  that  Vicksburg  had 
surrendered,  that  Richmond  had  been  taken,  and  that 
the  rebellion  was  subdued;  but  tidings  so  good  as 
those  brought  to  the  shepherds  by  the  angel  never 
before  saluted  human  ears.  Had  there  been  one  who 
could  have  saved  us  from  the  terrible  war  through 
which  we  passed,  great  suftering  would  have  been  pre- 
vented ;  but  this  is  not  to  be  compared  to  the  suffering 
prevented  by  Christ,  or  to  the  joys  he  brought  for  us. 

And  how  does  he  save?  This  he  does  by  having 
died  to  redeem  us;  by  giving  his  word  and  Spirit  to 
enlighten,  convict,  and  convert  us;  by  giving  grace  to 
keep  us  in  the  way  of  his  commandments;  and  by 
providing  for  the  resurrection  of  our  bodies,  and  a  re- 
union of  soul  and  body  forever  in  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Christ  is  not  a  Savior  in  the  sense  that  he  raises 
us  above  the  want  of  pardon,  but  in  the  sense  that  he 
made  it  possible  for  God  to  pardon  us  without  con- 
flicting with  the  claims  of  justice.     His  name  shall  be 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  65 

called  Jesus,  for  lie  shall  save  his  people  not  in  their 
sins  but  from  their  sins.  To  take  men  into  heaven  in 
their  sins  would  be  to  pollute  that  holy  place,  and  to 
leave  them  the  same  guilty  and  unhappy  beings  they 
now  are. 

(3)  The  duty  of  those  having  the  good  tidings  of 
salvation  toward  those  who  have  them  not.  The  fact 
that  these  good  tidings  are  for  all  men  is  evidence  that 
a  knowledge  of  his  salvation  should  be  given  to  all. 
These  glad  tidings,  said  the  angel  to  the  shepherds, 
are  for  you  and  for  all  people.  It  is  just  as  important 
for  the  heathen  to  know  this  as  it  was  for  the  shep- 
herds; and  the  angel  who  communicated  it  to  them 
thought  it  so  important  that  he  came  all  the  way  from 
heaven  to  tell  them.  Doubtless  the  angel  did  this  by 
the  command  of  God.  But  the  command  to  Chris- 
tians, especially  ministers,  is  just  as  positive  to  "go 
unto  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every 
creature,"  as  it  was  to  the  angel  to  come  to  earth. 
This  work  is  committed  to  the  church.  God  might 
have  commissioned  other  angels  to  carry  the  gospel 
to  the  heathen.  Yea,  he  might  have  written  his  law 
on  the  sky,  so  that  every  man  might  read  it  there,  and 
have  made  angels  missionaries  to  preach  it,  but  he  saw 
best  to  commit  this  work  to  man.  The  command  of 
Christ,  the  wants  of  the  heathen,  and  the  promptings 
of  true  religion,  all  demand  earnest  eifort,  and  that  by 
using  all  the  means  within  our  reach.  So  long  as  a 
single  soul  is  without  these  good  tidings,  so  long  is  it 
the  duty  of  Christians  to  work  \  to  give  it  to  them, 
even  if  it  takes  all  they  have  to  accomplish  it. 

5 


6Q  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 


XI. 

Salvation  by  the  Death  and  Resurrection 
OF  Christ. 


"And  said  unto  them,  Thus  it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behooved 
Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the  dead  the  third  day:  and  that  re- 
pentance and  remission  of  sins  should  be  preached  in  his  name  among 
all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem."     (Luke  xxiv.  46.  47.) 

This  text  contains  the  first  commission  wliich  the 
church  received  from  its  risen  Lord  to  engage  actively 
in  the  work  of  the  world's  conversion.  Forty  days 
afterward,  and  just  before  his  ascension  to  heaven,  he 
repeated  it  in  still  more  emphatic  terms.  The  first 
thought  on  his  mind  after  his  resurrection,  and  the  last 
one  before  his  ascension  to  heaven,  yea,  the  chief 
thought  of  his  whole  life,  was  the  evangelization  of 
the  world.  The  value  and  grandeur  of  this  work  is 
strikingly  set  forth  in  the  language  of  the  text,  "  Thus 
it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer,  and  to  rise  from  the  dead 
the  third  day :  and  that  repentance  and  the  remission 
of  sins  should  be  preached  in  his  name  among  all  na- 
tions, beginning  at  Jerusalem." 

That  we  may  more  fully  understand  this  subject,  let 
us  go  back  to  the  place  where  his  lips,  just  released 
from  death,  uttered  these  words,  and  so  open  our 
hearts  to  divine  influences  as  to  receive  spiritual  illu- 
mination, without  which  we  shall  be  unable  to  discern 
the  relation  of  Christ's  death  and  resurrection  to  the 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  67 

salvation  of  men;  also  fail  to  realize  our  obligations 
to  do  what  we  can  to  bring  the  unenlightened  and  un- 
saved to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Not  until  Christ 
by  his  Spirit  dwells  in  our  souls,  making  us  like  him- 
self, will  there  be  that  outflow  of  love  for  the  welfare 
of  men  and  the  power  to  overcome  the  difficulties  in 
the  way  of  their  salvation  necessary  to  do  successful 
missionary  work. 

This  alone  can  disclose  the  priceless  worth  of  souls 
and  the  horrors  to  which  they  are  exposed  while  out 
of  Christ.  When  with  the  eye  of  faith  we  see  the 
miseries  of  the  lost  and  the  happiness  of  the  saved, 
then,  and  not  till  then,  will  we  realize  the  glories  of 
that  scheme  which  saves  from  the  one  and  to  the  oth- 
er, and  which  offers  life  and  immortality  to  all.  Christ 
in  the  soul  begets  a  deep  concern  for  the  welfare  of 
those  who  are  yet  in  their  sins,  and  causes  the  spirit 
of  missions  to  take  deep  hold  upon  us.  Then  will  we 
be  like  the  Savior:  "When  he  saw  the  multitudes, 
he  was  moved  with  compassion  on  them,  because  they 
fainted,  and  were  scattered  abroad,  as  sheep  having  no 
shepherd."  It  was  this  which  thrilled  the  souls  of 
apostles  and  reformers,  and  which  gives  sympathy  for 
the  unsaved. 

Observe,  also,  that  Christ  directed  the  apostles  to 
commence  this  work  at  Jerusalem.  But  why  here, 
where  he  had  encountered  such  bitter  persecution,  and 
where  a  conspiracy  had  been  formed  to  take  his  life? 
Does  he  really  seek  to  save  his  worst  enemies,  even 
the  men  whose  hands  are  still  reeking  with  his  blood? 
Yes,  such  Avas  his  love  for  them  that  he  prayed  for 
their  forgiveness  and  salvation  while  he  hung  upon 
the  cross.  Instead  of  being  repelled  by  their  great 
wickedness,  he  was  moved  to  pity  and  earnest  eflbrt 


68  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

for  their  happiness.  It  may  be  also  that  he  command- 
ed them  to  commence  at  Jerusalem  to  prove  to  them 
and  us  that  a  love  and  zeal  which  could  succeed  in 
such  a  wicked  place  would  certainly  encompass  the 
whole  world. 

But  next  I  wish  to  consider  some  of  the  motives 
that  should  induce  us  to  engage  in  this  work.  (1)  Christ 
commands  it.  It  is  not  left  to  our  discretion  or  good- 
will, but  is  made  a  most  binding  duty,  and  that  too  by 
the  highest  authority  known,  and  in  language  so  plain 
and  positive  that  no  ignorance  can  fail  to  understand 
it  and  no  ingenuity  pervert  its  meaning.  "Go  ye  into 
all  the  world,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature," 
means  what  it  says,  and  can  not  be  made  to  mean  any- 
thing else.  The  same  pretext  that  evades  the  force  of 
this  command  would  invalidate  everything  which  the 
Bible  teaches.  The  duty  of  faith,  prayer,  and  love  to 
God  are  no  more  binding  upon  us  than  the  duty  of 
giving  the  gospel  to  "  every  creature,"  so  far  as  this  is 
within  our  power. 

In  this  Christ  does  not  enjoin  labor  or  sacrifice  be- 
yond what  he  did  himself.  By  a  most  laborious  life 
and  excruciating  death  he  made  salvation  possible;  and 
now  that  he  had  just  come  forth  from  the  grave,  still 
bearing  on  his  person  the  scars  of  the  mighty  conflict 
through  which  he  vanquished  death  and  hell,  he  says 
to  all  Christians,  "Be  ye  co-workers  with  me  in  saving 
the  world."  Christ's  farewell  command  is  just  as  bind- 
ing upon  Christians  in  the  nineteenth  century  as  it  was 
in  the  first  century,  and  will  be  as  long  as  a  heathen  is 
found  on  earth. 

True,  thousands  have  been  enlightened  within  the 
last  century.  In  some  instances  whole  countries  have 
been  Christianized,  and  there  are  more  Christians  now 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  69 

than  ever  before.  But  the  population  of  the  earth  has 
also  increased,  so  that  there  are  also  as  many  without 
the  gospel  as  ever  before.  Heathenism  still  glories  in 
her  proud  temples,  darkens  the  heavens  with  the  smoke 
of  her  cruel  sacrifices,  and  whitens  the  earth  with  the 
bones  of  her  victims.  And  what  lesson  should  this 
immense  moral  waste  teach  us?  Not  one  of  despair 
or  discouragement,  but  one  of  rebuke  for  doing  so  lit- 
tle to  save  them.  Those  who  believe  in  no  Savior,  no 
Holy  Ghost,  no  gospel,  no  convicting  or  converting 
power,  may  doubt  the  ultimate  triumph  of  Christianity; 
but  true  Christians  should  know  nothing  of  such  a 
feeling.  Much,  indeed,  has  been  done  within  the  last 
century.  The  gospel  has  been  planted  in  most  pagan 
lands,  and  thousands  have  enlisted  under  the  banner 
of  King  Jesus.  Glorious  victories  have  been  achieved, 
which  might  have  been  multiplied  many-fold  had  the 
labor  and  faith  and  prayer  of  Christians  been  what 
they  ought  to  have  been. 

If  Christians  generally  were  constrained  by  the  love 
of  Christ  to  prosecute  this  work,  as  was  the  primitive 
church,  it  would  not  be  over  twenty-five  years  until  all 
would  have  the  gospel.  When  this  love  to  Christ  and 
souls  is  not  the  main  impulse  to  missionary  effort,  but 
little  is  done.  Philanthropy  may  kindle  compassion 
for  the  heathen  and  prompt  to  benevolence  for  their 
welfare;  but  not  until  the  Holy  Ghost  fills  us  with  the 
love  of  Christ  will  our  efforts  be  effective.  This  is  ev- 
erything in  missionary  labor,  as  it  is  in  Christian  expe- 
rience, and  all  kinds  of  Christian  work.  "With  this  no 
one  can  be  unfeeling,  or  covetous,  or  neglectful  of  duty. 
Did  all  the  professed  followers  of  Christ  have  it  in  rich 
measure,  then  the  many  who  perish  annually  in  heathen 
lands  would  soon  hear  the  joyful  sound  of  salvation. 


73  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON  • 

It  is  a  great  error,  as  well  as  a  great  evil,  to  regard 
the  spirit  of  missions  as  a  peculiar  kind  of  piety  not 
to  be  expected  of  Christians  generally.  The  spirit  of 
missions  is  simply  the  Spirit  of  Christ,  which  we  must 
have  to  be  his  true  followers.  "  If  any  man  have  not 
th^e  Spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his."  It  is  a  contra- 
diction in  terms  to  love  the  Lord  with  all  the  heart 
and  oar  neighbors  as  ourselves  and  be  without  the 
missionary  spirit.  To  be  without  love  and  pity  for  the 
souls  of  the  heathen  is  equivalent  to  having  none  for 
any  souls.  It  is  a  misconception  of  Christianity,  and 
such  a  one  as  shows  defective  Christian  experience 
and  ignorance  of  the  requirements  of  God's  word. 

Essential  to  the  success  of  this  work  is  the  sup- 
ply of  funds  for  its  prosecution.  When  a  man  gives 
himself  to  Christ  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word  he 
gives  his  property,  as  well  as  all  else  that  he  possesses, 
to  be  used  as  the  Master  directs.  Alms-giving  is  en- 
joined by  him,  and  that  to  an  extent  which  implies 
self-denial  and  sacrifice.  To  give  to  benevolent  objects 
only  what  we  can  well  spare  falls  below  the  standard 
given  us  in  God's  word.  To  realize  the  fulfillment  of 
the  promise,  "  It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive," we  must  give  until  we  feel  the  loss  of  that  which 
is  given.  The  more  we  deny  ourselves  for  Christ's 
sake  the  richer  will  be  the  blessing.  The  question 
ought  to  be  not  how  little,  but  how  much  can  be  spared 
for  missions? 

It  is  a  fearful  thought  that  money  which  God  in- 
tended fr)r  his  cause  will  condemn  those  who  use  it  for 
selfish  ends.  Every  dollar  thus  perverted  will  be  a 
swift  witness  against  them  in  the  day  of  judgment. 
Ah,  could  Christians  who  deal  out  a  few  dollars  for  be- 
nevolent   purposes   instead  of  giving   hundreds   and 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  71 

thousands  see  their  possessions  spotted  with  the  blood 
of  souls,  they  would  realize  the  guilt  of  disobeying 
the  command,  "Let  evety  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in 
store,  as  God  hath  prospered  him,"  for  the  upbuilding 
of  his  cause.  The  tendency  with  the  large  majority 
of  Christians  is  to  give  too  little.  Especially  is  this 
true  of  the  rich,  of  whom  the  Savior  said  it  is  hard 
for  them  to  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  not  be- 
cause they  are  rich,  but  because  they  do  not  use  their 
riches  properly. 


72  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 


XII. 

Relation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  Missions. 


"As  they  ministered  to  the  Lord,  and  fasted,  the  Holy  Ghost  said, 
Separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the  work  wliereunto  I  have  called 
them.  And  when  they  had  fasted  and  prayed,  and  laid  their  hands 
on  them,  they  sent  them  away."     (Acts  xiii.  2,  3.) 

The  book  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  as  its  name 
indicates,  records  action,  and  that,  too,  of  a  remarka- 
ble character,  as  is  shown  by  the  scenes  and  events 
which  it  so  graphically  portrays.  In  short,  it  contains 
the  history  of  the  primitive  church,  and  especially  its 
ministers,  who,  in  obedience  to  their  Lord's  command, 
"Preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,"  labored  so 
zealously  to  accomplish  this  work.  Such  missionary 
labors,  sufferings,  and  successes  as  are  here  chronicled 
are  not  to  be  found  elsewhere.  Preaching  the  gospel 
was  to  the  apostles  so  grand  and  glorious  a  work,  and 
one  fraught  with  interests  so  important  to  others,  that 
it  filled  their  heads  and  hearts,  and  prompted  them  to 
labor  hard  and  suffer  much. 

The  chapter  from  which  the  text  is  taken,  and  the 
succeeding  one,  give  an  account  of  the  appointment 
of  Barnabas  and  Saul  to  the  missionary  work  by  the 
church  at  Antioch ;  the  services  by  which  they  were 
set  apart  to  it;  the  places  they  visited  and  labors  they 
performed  while  on  their  lirst  missionary  tour;  the 
reception   given  them  by  their  brethren  at  Antioch 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  73 

when  they  returned.  It  will  be  borne  in  mind  that  it 
was  by  the  direction  of  the  Holy  Ghost  that  Barnabas 
and  Saul  were  set  apart  to  this  work,  and  that  it  was 
by  fasting,  prayer,  and  the  laying  on  of  hands  that  they 
were  inaugurated  into  it.  With  such  a  call,  and  from 
such  services,  did  they  go  forth  to  "  preach  among  the 
gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ."  After 
they  had  visited  numerous  places,  and  passed  through 
many  perils,  proclaiming  Christ  and  his  salvation, 
they  again  stood  before  tlieir  brethren  at  Antioch  and 
rehearsed  ''  all  that  God  had  done  with  them." 

And  now  look  at  the  reception  given  by  their 
brethren.  The  whole  church  came  together  to  extend 
to  them  their  Christian  greetings  and  hear  their  re- 
ports. The  whole  church  had  participated  in  the 
services,  setting  them  apart  to  this  work,  and  now 
they  wished  to  know  the  result.  Being  filled  with 
love  to  God  and  the  unsaved,  they  were  there  to  hear 
what  God  had  done  through  the  labors  of  their  repre- 
sentatives, Barnabas  and  Saul,  and  what  further  they 
could  do  to  save  men.  Their  sense  of  obligation  to 
God  and  to  the  heathen  made  them  eager  to  know 
their  duty  and  to  do  it.  N"ext  to  their  own  salvation, 
that  of  others  was  to  them  the  most  important  work 
of  life.  Such  was  their  appreciation  of  the  gospel 
that  they  felt  it  should  be  given  to  all  men  in  the 
shortest  time  possible. 

Let  us  consider  the  relation  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to 
the  missionary  work,  and  the  means  we  must  employ 
to  secure  it.  Every  agency  chosen  of  God  to  pro- 
mote his  cause  has  its  sphere  of  action,  and  infinite 
wisdom  employs  none  but  what  is  essential.  The 
circulation  of  the  Scriptures  and  to  teach  people 
to  understand  them,  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  and 


74  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

the  use  of  all  the  appointed  means  of  grace  are  indis- 
pensable ;  but  after  all,  without  the  influence  of  the  Holy 
Spirit  they  will  fail  to  awaken  and  reform  mankind. 
The  Holy  Spirit  must  be  present  with  teacher  and 
learner,  preacher  and  people,  to  enlighten,  renew,  and 
to  guide  into  all  truth,  or  souls  will  not  be  won  to 
Christ.  Saving  men  is  emphatically  a  work  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  and  without  its  influence  it  is  impossible 
"  to  turn  men  from  darkness  to  light." 

Without  this,  the  best  mere  human  effort  will  fail 
to  discover  to  sinners  the  depravity  of  their  hearts  and 
give  them  proper  conceptions  of  the  gospel  and  its 
adaptation  to  meet  their  wants  in  this  life  and  that 
which  is  to  come.  Paul  says,  "  The  natural  man  re- 
ceiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God:  for  they 
are  foolishness  unto  him:  neither  can  he  know  them, 
because  they  are  spiritually  discerned."  If  this  is 
true  of  men  generally  in  their  unrenewed  state,  as 
this  passage  and  others  teach,  then  how  difficult  to 
give  the  heathen  clear  conceptions  of  the  truth  of 
God,  and  make  that  truth  effective  in  their  salvation 
without  the  help  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  As  the  things 
of  science  can  only  be  scientifically  understood,  so  the 
things  of  the  Spirit  can  only  be  spiritually  under- 
stood. 

It  is  the  Holy  Spirit  that  reproves  of  sin,  of  right- 
eousness, and  of  a  judgment  to  come,  and  that  makes 
the  gospel  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation.  It  is 
this  which  commences  the  work  of  salvation  by  en- 
lightening the  understanding,  that  carries  it  forward 
by  renewing  the  heart,  that  perfects  it  by  guiding 
into  all  truth,  and  which  makes  the  path  of  the  right- 
eous shine  brighter  and  brighter,  even  unto  the  perfect 
day.     Said  Jesus   to   the   apostles,  "I  will  send  the 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  75 

promise  of  my  Father  upon  you :  but  tarry  ye  in  the 
city  of  Jerusalem,  until  ye  be  endued  with  power  from 
on  high."  No  amount  of  learning,  zeal,  or  good 
works  can  become  a  substitute  for  the  directing  and 
helping  power  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  "Likewise  the 
Spirit  also  helpeth  our  infirmities :  for  we  know  not  what 
we  should  pray  for  as  we  ought:  but  the  Spirit  itself 
maketh  intercession  for  us  with  groanings  which  can 
not  be  uttered."  "We  know  as  little  of  other  religious 
duties  as  this  without  the  Spirit,  and  hence  its  need  to 
guide  us  into  all  truth.  But  how,  when,  and  under 
what  circumstances  will  the  Spirit  be  given  to  God's 
people?  and  what  may  they  do  to  secure  it?  This  is 
clearly  indicated  by  the  language,  "  As  they  ministered 
to  the  Lord,  and  fasted,  the  Holy  Ghost  said.  Separate 
me  Barnabas  and  Saul  for  the  work  whereunto  I 
have  called  them."  Ministering  means  serving,  or 
waiting  on  the  Lord  in  the  use  of  the  appointed  means 
of  grace.  Dr.  Clarke  says  it  was  common  for  pious 
Jews  to  meet  on  week-days  for  prayer  and  supplication ; 
and  on  these  days  they  fasted.  It  may  have  been  on 
an  occasion  of  this  kind  that  the  Holy  Ghost  indicated 
the  divine  will  in  respect  to  Barnabas  and  Saul.  Long 
before  this  time  God  had  said  to  them,  "  I  will  pour 
out  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh;"  but  he  also  said,  "I  will 
yet  for  this  be  inquired  of  by  the  house  of  Israel,  to  do 
it  for  them." 

There  must  be  ministering  to  the  Lord  and  conform- 
ity to  his  will  in  our  hearts  and  lives  which  embraces 
the.duty  of  earnest  importunate  prayer,  in  answer  to 
which  our  obligations  to  the  spiritually  destitute  will 
be  made  plain.  Prayer  laj's  hold  of  Omnipotent 
power,  and  brings  pardon  and  salvation.  In  answer 
to  it  the  Holy  Ghost  will  be  poured  out  upon  all  laud- 


76  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

able  efforts  to  Christianize  tlie  world.  "  The  effectual, 
fervent  prayer  of  a  righteous  man  availeth  much." 
If  this  is  true  of  one,  how  much  more  of  many  who 
with  strong  faith  pray  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Holy 
Spirit.  Were  we  as  importunate  for  the  salvation  of 
the  heathen  as  the  woman  was  before  the  unjust 
judge  it  would  not  be  long  till  they  would  be  brought 
to  Christ. 

Let  the  church  still,  as  it  did  at  Antioch,  send 
forth  its  brightest  jewels,  its  strong  men,  such  as  will 
be  able  to  convince  the  gainsayer  and  confound  the 
skeptic,  and  whose  love  of  Christ  constrains  them  to 
preach  salvation  to  the  perishing,  and  let  it  liberally 
sustain  those  it  does  send  forth ;  but  let  it  not  forget 
that  it  has  an  important  duty  to  perform  at  a  throne 
of  divine  grace.  Queen  Mary  showed  her  faith  in  the 
prayer  of  the  righteous  when  she  said  she  feared  the 
prayers  of  John  Knox  more  than  all  the  fleets  and 
armies  of  her  enemies.  Wicked  as  she  was,  she  be- 
lieved in  the  power  of  prayer,  especially  when  offered 
by  John  Knox.  She  knew  that  his  prayers  were  op- 
posed to  her  wicked  schemes,  and  that  they  must  pre- 
vail. Prayer  has  accomplished  what  armies,  fleets, 
arguments,  and  eloquence  can  not  do.  These  can  only 
affect  men,  but  prayer  moves  the  hand  that  moves  the 
world,  securing  strength  for  the  weak,  wisdom  for  the 
ignorant,  joy  for  the  disconsolate,  and  salvation  for 
the  guilty.  The  church  at  Antioch  prayed  for  those 
it  sent  forth,  and  by  being  present  at  the  missionary 
meeting  which  commissioned  them  to  go,  and  at  the 
\one  which  received  them  back,  showed  a  heart-interest 
in  this  work.  They  believed  that  the  command,  "Go 
teach  all  nations,"  was  as  binding  as  other  commands 
found  in  the  Bible,  and  that  it  ought  to  be  obeyed  by 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  77 

all  Christians.  How  unlike  some  of  the  present  day, 
who  at  most  give  a  small  annual  contribution,  an  oc- 
casional prayer,  and  with  these  dismiss  the  whole  sub- 
ject of  the  world's  evangelization  from  their  minds. 
Indeed,  some  do  not  this  much.  They  neither  pray, 
pay,  nor  in  any  way  labor  for  the  cause. 

The  most  alarming  feature  in  their  case  is  that  they 
do  this  with  seemingly  little  or  no  compunction  of 
conscience.  They  treat  the  claims  of  God  and  the 
heathen  as  though  it  were  asking  too  much  to  give  the 
gospel  to  the  spiritually  destitute.  Indeed,  not  a  few 
act  as  though  the  cost  of  sustaining  the  gospel  at 
home  is  a  good  deal  to  ask  for  the  mere  privilege 
of  getting  to  heaven.  They,  like  shipping-merchants, 
are  constantly  asking'for  cheaper  rates;  and  if  they 
could  be  certain  of  barely  squeezing  into  heaven  by 
paying  still  less  they  would  do  it.  Christ's  last  com- 
mission has  not  that  binding  force  upon  their  con- 
sciences which  it  ought  to  have.  It  is  a  most  painful 
fact  that  some  seem  to  give  to  missions  only  to  escape 
censure,  or  to  get  the  whole  subject  out  of  the  way. 

"Why,  the  mere  announcement  of  a  missionary  meet- 
ing puts  some  professors  of  religion  into  agon}';  and 
to  ask  them  for  money  for  this  interest  utterly  destroys 
their  enjoyment.  A  member  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church  who  left  the  congregation  as  soon  as  she  heard 
the  text,  and  went  home  to  get  dinner  for  the  preach- 
ers, said  by  way  of  apology,  "  I  never  enjoy  mission- 
ary meetings,  and  hence  came  away  before  meeting 
had  fairly  begun."  She  regarded  such  a  meeting  as 
a  kind  of  necessary  evil — something  to  be  endured, 
not  enjoyed.  She  is  not  alone  in  her  views  on  this 
subject.  To  receive  good  and  not  do  good  is  the  high- 
est idea  of  religious  work  and   worship  some  have. 


78  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 


XIII. 

Paul's  Indebtedness  to  his  Fellow- men. 


"I  am  debtor  both  to  the  Greeks,  and  to  the  Barbarians;  both  to 
the  wise,  and  to  the  unwise.  So,  as  much  as  in  me  is,  I  am  readj^  to 
preach  the  gospel  to  you  that  are  at  Rome  also."     (Rom.  i.  14,  15.) 

It  is  a  most  disagreeable  thing  to  an  honest  man  to 
be  deeply  in  debt.  Yet  Paul  frankly  acknowledged 
that  he  was  debtor  ''  both  to  the  Greeks  and  to  the 
Barbarians,  both  to  the  wise  and  to  the  unwise,"  which 
four  classes  embraced  the  entire  world.  But  how  did 
he  become  so  extensively  in  debt?  Was  he  a  money- 
borrower,  or  a  merchant,  or  a  banker  with  whom  the 
balance  of  mankind  made  deposits?  Or  by  what 
process  did  he  become  so  generally  in  debt  ?  Kot  in 
any  of  these  ways,  for  he  had  little  to  do  with  finances 
or  business  of  any  kind  after  his  call  to  the  ministry. 

This  will  be  more  fully  explained  after  some  things 
are  stated  respecting  the  gospel  which  he  was  so  ready 
to  preach.  The  gospel  is  a  revelation  of  the  grace  of 
God  to  man  through- a  Mediator.  It  is  that  system 
of  faith  and  practice  through  which  guilty  man  may 
be  saved  by  virtue  of  Christ's  life,  death,  resurrection, 
and  intercession.  It  is  God's  appointed  instrumental- 
ity by  which  to  enlighten  and  save  the  world.  "Thus 
it  is  written,  and  thus  it  behooved  Christ  to  suffer,  and 
to  rise  from  the  dead  the  third  day :  and  that  repent- 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  79 

ance  and  remission  of  sins  should  be.  preached  in  his 
name  among  all  nations,  beginning  at  Jerusalem." 

This  gospel  shows  man  that  he  is  "  wretched,  and 
miserable,  and  poor,  and  blind,  and  naked;"  that  he  is 
"  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins ;"  that  he  is  "  condemned 
already;"  that  "the  wrath  of  God  abideth  upon  him." 
It  also  tells  him  how  he  may  escape  that  wrath;  how 
he  may  be  made  alive  to  God  and  be  clothed  with  the 
robe  of  righteousness ;  how  he  may  be  made  rich  in 
faith  and  good  works  in  this  life,  and  in  the  life  to  come 
an  heir  to  an  "  inheritance  incorruptible,  and  undefiled, 
and  that  fadeth  not  away."  As  the  apostle  affirms,  it 
is  "the  power  of  God  unto  salvation  to  every  one  that 
believeth,"  and  the  only  power  that  can  elevate  and 
save  the  race. 

With  such  views  of  man's  wretched  state  and  of  the 
gospel  and  its  benefits  did  the  apostle  go  forth  to  pro- 
claim the  glad. tidings  of  salvation.  Is  it  any  wonder 
that  he  said,  even  in  the  face  of  imprisonment  and 
death  itself, "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  the  gospel  of  Christ  ?'' 
Seeing  and  feeling  the  value  of  this  gospel,  he  could 
not  be  indiiferent  in  regard  to  its  promulgation  to  oth- 
ers. He  was  ready  to  preach  it  to  the  Romans  and  to 
all  men.  He  could  truly  say,  "Neither  count  I  my 
life  dear  unto  myself,  so  that  I  might  finish  my  course 
with  joy,  and  the  ministry,  which  I  have  received  of 
the  Lord  Jesus,  to  testify  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of 
God."  So  highly  did  he  appreciate  it  that  he  felt  that 
no  privation  or  sacrifice  of  ease  or  wealth  was  too 
great  to  be  made  for  the  sake  of  imparting  it  to  others. 
Grounds  of  his  obligation  to  thus  preach  the  gospel. 
(1)  He  felt  he  ought  to  proclaim  the  glad  tidings  to  all 
because  of  the  mercy  God  had  shown  him  in  his  con- 
version; also  because  of  the  great  dangers  to  which 


80  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

the  wiaked  are  exposed.  Paul  liad  himself  been  a 
great  sinner,  saved  in  a  miraculous  manner;  and  be- 
ing so  mercifully  saved  himself,  he  felt  he  ought  to  do 
all  he  possibly  could  to  save  others.  Ho  had  not  for- 
gotten how  blind  and  guilty  he  had  been,  nor  the  won- 
derful power  that  had  arrested  him  on  his  way  to  Da- 
mascus, which  caused  the  scales  to  fall  from  his  eyes, 
made  him  a  new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  gave 
him  a  well-grounded  hope  of  immortality  and  eternal 
life.  Paul  looked  at  things  very  difl'erently  after  his 
conversion  from  what  he  did  before.  He  saw  much 
more  to  admire  in  God  and  much  more  to  deplore  in 
man  than  he  ever  had  before, — God's  goodness  in  so 
abundantly  providing  for  man's  spiritual  wants,  and 
man's  blindness  and  indifference  in  rejecting  the  only 
means  of  his  salvation.  The  life-boat  of  salvation  had 
picked  him  up  while  the  waves  of  iniquity  were  car- 
rying him  with  fearful  velocity  toward  ruin;  and  see- 
ing the  large  majority  of  the  race  in  the  same  sad 
plight  from  which  he  had  been  saved,  he  felt  he  ought, 
yea,  must  do  all  that  lay  in  his  power  "  to  open  their 
eyes,  and  to  turn  them  from  darkness  to  light,  and 
from  the  power  of  Satan  unto  God,  that  they  may  re- 
ceive forgiveness  of  sins,  and  inheritance  among  them 
which  are  sanctified  by  faith." 

(2)  He  felt  that  he  was  debtor  to  all  men  because 
God  had  given  him  valuable  treasures  for  them,  and 
made  him  his  special  agent  to  distribute  them  to  all 
within  his  reach.  God  made  him  a  depositary  of  the 
most  valuable  gifts,  as  is  true  of  every  gospel  minister 
by  virtue  of  his  call  to  this  work,  and  hence  under  the 
most  solemn  pledge  to  impart  to  all,  so  far  as  this  was 
possible,  a  knowledge  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  He 
confessed  that  a  dispensation  of  the  gospel  was  com- 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  81 

mitted  to  him;  and  having  been  put  in  trust  with  a 
boon  so  valuable  for  others,  he  felt  that  he  could  not, 
as  an  honest  man,  withhold  it  from  them.  Had  he 
received  thousands  of  dollars  to  be  conveyed  to 
others  and  failed  to  give  it  to  them,  that  would  have 
been  regarded  dislionest;  and  in  his  estimation  it  was 
no  less  so  to  withhold  from  them  the  gospel,  which 
is  more  valuable  than  millions  of  money. 

Paul  was  quite  different  from  some  who  say  they 
are  called  to  preach,  but  who  are  nevertheless  indiffer- 
ent as  to  whether  they  ever  do  this,  much  less  to  all 
within  their  reach.  He  was  so  intent  on  discharging 
his  obligations  to  preach  the  gospel  that  all  other 
things  were  made  secondary  to  this.  He  acknowledg- 
ed that  he  was  in  debt.  He  did  not  deny  this  to  get 
rid  of  paying  debts,  as  some  do  now,  but  confessed  it, 
and  then  used  the  greatest  effort  possible  to  pay  them. 
True,  he  met  with  great  opposition.  They  even  went 
80  far  as  to  imprison  him  to  prevent  him  from  doing 
so ;  but  pay  his  debts  he  would.  In  some  instances 
men  have  been  imprisoned  because  they  did  not  pay 
debts.  Paul  was  because  he  did.  From  this  he  would 
not  be  turned  aside. 

Paul  was  an  honest,  ready  man,  willing  to  do  what- 
ever God  bid  him,  even  unto  death,  that  he  might  fin- 
ish his  course  with  joy.  He  commenced  his  Christian 
career  by  asking,  "  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have  me  to 
do?"  and  then  did  the  will  of  God  at  all  hazards.  So 
intent  was  he  on  paying  debts — preaching  Jesus — that 
no  opportunity  was  omitted.  When  he  was  a  prisoner 
before  Agrippa  and  permitted  to  speak  in  defense  of 
himself,  the  king  remarked,  "Almost  thou  persuadest 
me  to  be  a  Christian."  Paul  replied,  "  I  would  to  God, 
that  not  only  thou,  but  also  all  that  hear  me  this  day, 

6 


82  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

were  both  almost,  and  altogether  such  as  I  am,  except 
these  bonds."  When  he  was  before  Felix  he  "  reasoned 
of  righteousness,  temperance,  and  judgment  to  come." 
Though  there  for  the  express  purpose  of  pleading  for 
his  release,  yet  he  had  rather  remain  in  bonds  than  to 
omit  a  single  privilege  to  preach  Jesus  and  the  resur- 
rection. 

Paul's  idea  of  life  was  not  so  much  enjoyment  as 
usefulness.  Were  the  former  the  end  for  which  men 
are  to  live,  God  would  evidently  take  Christians  to 
heaven  as  soon  as  converted.  That  low,  selfish  idea 
never  entered  Paul's  mind.  Angels  in  heaven  do  not 
sit  indolently  down  and  selfishly  enjoy  life.  They  are 
ministering  spirits,  and  so  ought  Christians  to  be  to 
others.  Paul  practiced  the  same  gospel  he  preached, 
and  bore  the  same  cross  in  which  he  gloried.  Religion 
with  him  was  work  as  well  as  enjoyment,  or  his  en- 
joyment was  largely  the  result  of  work.  This  gospel 
which  he  was  so  ready  to  preach  revealed  truths  so 
momentous  and  prolfered  a  salvation  so  glorious,  and 
an  immortality  so  desirable,  that  he  felt  it  ought  to  be 
given  to  all  if  possible. 

He  had  completely  lost  sight  of  his  earthly  interests. 
The  question  of  life  or  death,  health  or  sickness,  liber- 
ty or  bondage,  he  had  submitted  to  God  who  called 
him  to  preach.  It  was  his  business  to  preach,  and 
God's  work  to  care  for  him  and  give  such  results  as 
he  might  think  wise  and  good.  His  time,  talent,  life, 
and  health,  all  belonged  to  God ;  and  as  he  had  inquir- 
ed of  him  what  to  do,  with  the  full  purpose  to  be 
obedient  to  the  Heavenly  calling,  it  was  his  one  busi- 
ness on  earth  to  become  all  things  to  all  men  that  he 
might  win  souls  to  Christ. 

(3)     The  same  obligations  resting  upon  him  to  dif- 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  83 

fuse  Christianity  are  upon  all  Christians.  Was  he 
debtor  to  all  men  because  of  God's  mercy  shown  him 
in  his  salvation  ?  So  are  we.  Was  he  debtor  because 
God  had  made  him  a  depositary  of  valuable  treasures, 
and  was  it  his  duty  to  give  them  to  others?  So  are 
we.  As  co-laborers  with  God  in  the  work  of  re- 
deeming this  world,  that  compassion  which  brought 
Christ  from  heaven  to  be  a  ransom  for  man  ought  to 
fill  our  hearts.  With  the  mind  of  Christ  we  will 
show  his  sympathy  for  the  lost  and  cease  not  to  do 
what  we  can  to  save  them. 


84  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 


XIV. 

Living  for  the  Good  of  Others. 


''  For  none  of  us  liveth  to  hunself."     (Rom.  xiv.  7.) 

The  gospel  requires  tis  to  live  largely  for  the  good 
of  others  aud  for  Christ's  glory,  and  to  make  our  own 
happiness  a  secondary  consideration.  The  obligation 
to  do  this,  even  when  it  requires  privation  and  sacri- 
fice, is  clearly  taught  in  the  sacred  Scriptures.  Self- 
renunciation  for  Christ's  sake  and  the  good  of  others 
promotes  the  happiness  of  those  who  practice  it,  for 
the  reason  that  this  develops  those  feelings  and  afiec- 
tions  upon  which  happiness  depends.  The  funda- 
mental law  of  the  gospel  kingdom  is  love, — love  to  God 
and  love  to  man.  "  Thou  shalt  love  the  Lord  thy  God 
with  all  thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all 
thy  strength,  and  with  all  thy  mind ;  and  thy  neigh- 
bor as  thyself."  "On  these  two  commandments  hang 
all  the  law  and  the  prophets."  In  another  portion  of 
God's  word  it  is  said,  "  For  all  the  law  is  fulfilled  in 
one  word,  even  in  this,  Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor 
as  thyself." 

Many  reasons  might  be  assigned  why  we  should  love 
our  neighbors  as  ourselves  and  do  good  to  others.  This 
will  promote  mutual  love  and  good-will,  and  thus  con- 
duce to  the  happiness  of  both  parties.  Special  acts  of 
kindness  toward  others  increase  our  interest  in  them 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  85 

and  their  good-will  toward  us,  aud  increase  our  sym- 
pathy for  all  mankind,  l^o  one  thus  employed  can 
have  a  contracted,  unsympathizing  heart.  A  cold- 
hearted,  unfeeling,  selfish  Christian  is  a  contradiction 
in. terms,  wholly  at  variance  with  the  spirit  of  the  re- 
ligion of  the  Bible.  This  religion  fills  the  soul  with 
godlike  aspirations  and  affections,  and  makes  its  pos- 
sessor not  only  willing,  but  anxious  to  contribute  to  the 
happiness  of  others. 

This  view  may  be  objected  to  on  the  ground  that 
it  sets  up  a  standard  so  high  that  none,  cr  but  few,  at- 
tain to  it.  But  then,  is  not  this  the  Bible  standard? 
Is  not  grace  proilered  to  enable  Christians  to  attain 
to  it?  Is  it  not  true  that  some  have  attained  to  it? 
Are  there  not  some  in  every  religious  community  whom 
all  acknowledge  to  be  Bible  Christians,  and  who  large- 
ly live  for  the  good  of  others?  But  God's  law  does 
not  depend  upon  the  will  or  conduct  of  men.  It  is 
founded  on  truth  and  right,  and  will  abide,  even  though 
none  meet  its  obligations.  We  say  of  this  as  did  the 
apostle  concerning  another  subject,  "For  what  if  some 
did  not  believe  ?  shall  their  unbelief  make  tlie  faith  of 
God  without  effect?  God  forbid:  yea,  let  God  bo 
true,  but  every  man  a  liar;  as  it  is  written,  That  thou 
mightest  be  justified  in  thy  sayings." 

It  is  a  great  misfortune,  as  it  is  a  great  wrong,  that 
Christians  do  not  more  generally  live  up  to  the  stand- 
ard given  in  the  word  of  God.  Were  this  done,  there 
would  be  fewer  skeptics.  The  arguments  of  a  good 
life  are  often  more  convincing  to  this  class  of  persons 
than  the  best  logic  and  reasoning.  Those  who  are 
naturally  skeptical  are  more  likely  to  be  saved  from 
infidelity  by  the  exemplary  lives  of  Christians  than  by 
any  other  means.     A  life  that  is  "  hid  with  Christ  in 


86  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

God"  will  most  favorably  recommend  the  religion  of 
the  Bible,  and  often  lead  sinners  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
truth.  To  have  all  selfishness  rooted  out  of  our  hearts, 
and  to  truly  love  others  as  we  do  ourselves,  is  the  way 
the  Bible  would  have  us  live. 

To  be  truly  happy  ourselves  we  must  make  others 
happy,  and  do  this  upon  God's  plan,  which  is  that  we 
exercise  supreme  love  to  him  and  universal  love  to 
man.  He  is  pledged  to  take  care  of  the  happiness  of 
those  who  for  his  sake  and  for  the  welfare  of  their 
fellow-men  are  striving  to  make  the  world  better. 
As  Christians,  we  too  often  forget  that  all  our  interests 
for  time  and  eternity  are  safer  in  the  hands  of  God 
than  anywhere  else.  "  The  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and 
shield :  the  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory  :  no  good 
thing  will  he  withhold  from  them  that  walk  upright- 
ly." "Who  will  render  to  every  man  according  to  his 
deeds :  to  them  who  by  patient  continuance  in  well- 
doing seek  for  glory  and  honor  and  immortality,  eter- 
nal life :  but  unto  them  that  are  contentious,  and  do 
not  obey  the  truth,  but  obey  unrighteousness;  indig- 
nation and  wrath." 

The  Bible  rule  by  which  we  are  to  live  in  behalf  of 
our  fellow-men  is,  "  Therefore  all  things  whatsover  ye 
would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to 
them."  Alas,  our  dwarfish  piety  prevents  us  from 
coming  up  to  this  rule ;  and  instead  of  doing  to  others 
as  we  would  have  others  do  to  us,  and  laboring  ear- 
nestly in  behalf  of  the  happiness  and  salvation  of  oth- 
ers, we  do  little  or  nothing.  If  God  should  deal  out 
blessings  to  us  as  we  often  do  to  our  fellow-men 
and  to  his  cause,  what  leanness  of  both  soul  and 
body  there  would  be  in  our  case.  He  gives  us  tem- 
poral  and    spiritual  gifts  freely  and  abundantly,  and 


THE  MISSIONARY  WORK.  87 

wifh   them  the  injunction,  "Having  freely  received, 
freely  give." 

Such  consecration  as  this  to  God  and  to  the  cause  of 
humanity  will  bring  genuine  happiness  to  those  who 
possess  it,  and  also  such  spiritual  power  as  is  necessary 
to  be  progressive  and  victorious  Christians.  This  power 
is  referred  to  by  the  apostle  when  he  said,  *'  My  preach- 
ing was  not  with  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom,  but 
in  demonstration  of  the  Spirit  and  of  power."  To 
possess  and  wield  such  power  to  the  editication  *  of 
Christians,  the  conversion  of  sinners,  and  the  spread 
of  the  gospel  into  all  destitute  portions  of  the  earth, 
should  be  the  aim  of  every  earnest  Christian.  To  be 
without  this  power  as  the  rule  of  life  is  a  sin,  and  proves 
unfaithfulness  to  God,  just  as  the  absence  of  true  re- 
ligious enjoyment  as  the  rule  of  life  proves  a  defective 
Christian  character. 

When  we  consider  that  this  power  is  absolutely  nec- 
essary to  a  growing  Christian  experience  and  life,  as 
well  as  to  enable  us  to  labor  successfully  for  the  good 
of  others,  and  that  thus  laboring  and  living  is  the  only 
certain  way  of  obtaining  an  increase  of  this  power,  or 
even  retaining  what  is  already  possessed,  the  appropri- 
ateness of  the  apostle's  prayer  in  the  following  language 
is  clearly  seen:  "  That  he  would  grant  you,  according 
to  the  riches  of  his  glor}^,  to  be  strengthened  with 
might  by  his  Spirit  in  the  inner  man ;  that  Christ 
may  dwell  in  your  hearts  by  faith ;  that  ye,  being  root- 
ed and  grounded  in  love,  may  be  able  to  comprehend 
with  all  saints  what  is  the  breadth,  and  length,  and 
depth,  and  height;  and  to  know  the  love  of  Christ, 
which  passeth  knowledge,  that  ye  might  be  filled  with 
all  the  fullness  of  God." 

It  is  not  enticing  words  of  man's  wisdom — not  ex- 


88  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

cellency  of  speech,  oratorical  flourishes,  philosophical 
disquisitions,  or  anything  that  is  merely  human — that 
lift  men  to  a  higher,  holier,  and  happier  life ;  but  the 
power  of  God  or  saving  grace  alone  can  do  this.  That 
power  vouchsafed  to  man  through  the  redemption  of 
Christ  can  lift  him  from  the.  low  estate  into  which  sin 
has  placed  the  race  and  prepare  him  for  heaven.  Tliis 
power  is  essential  to  every  stage  or  condition  of  Chris- 
tian life.  Without  it,  there  can  be  no  true  enlighten- 
ment, conviction,,  conversion,  regeneration,  growth  in 
grace,  or  successful  work  for  the  salvation  of  others. 
"  Not  by  might,  nor  by  power,  but  by  my  Spirit,  saith 
the  Lord  of  hosts;"  that  is,  it  is  not  by  human  might 
or  human  power  that  his  kingdom  is  established  in  the 
hearts  of  men  and  they  thereby  made  co-workers  with 
him  in  recovering  this  world  to  himself,  but  by  the 
Spirit  of  God. 

"For  none  of  us  liveth  to  himself;"  that  is  to  say, 
Christians  must  act  according  to  the  will  of  God,  and 
not  follow  their  own  wills.  His  glory  in  their  salva- 
tion, and  the  salvation  of  those  whom  they  may  induce 
to  become  his  servants,  is  the  chief  end  for  which  they 
should  exert  themselves.  A  true  Christian  can  no  more 
live  to  himself  and  for  himself  exclusively  in  a  spirit- 
ual sense  than  he  can  live  physically  without  food  to 
eat  or  air  to  breathe.  And  what  is  true  of  an  individ- 
ual is  also  true  of  a  church.  To  prosper,  it  must  show 
sympathy  and  extend  help  to  the  destitute  and  un- 
saved. It  can  not  refuse  these  and  shut  itself  up  to 
its  own  wants  altogether  and  retain  a  living  state  of 
spirituality.  The  feeling  that  work  for  God's  cause 
and  suffering  humanity  must  be  performed  will  come 
up  wherever   true  religion  exists.     The  example   of 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  89 

Christ,  the  teachings  of  his  word,  tlie  dictates  of  rea- 
son, and  human  impulse  demand  it. 

It  is  greatly  to  be  regretted  that  the  obligation  to  do 
this  does  not  exert  a  more  autlioritative  and  command- 
ing, yea,  binding  power  over  our  consciences  and  lives. 
This  work  is  regai'ded  by  most  Christians  in  the  light 
of  charity  ratlier  than  absolute  duty,  which  accounts 
for  the  micertain,  spasmodic  policy  of  many  professors 
of  religion  whose  influence  is  for  or  against  great  be- 
nevolent institutions,  and  whose  money  is  given  or 
withheld  from  them,  wholly  as  a  matter  of  choice, 
without  any  respect  to  what  God  commands  and  Chris- 
tian obligation  requires.  They  do  not  seem  to  believe 
that  the  institutions  of  Christianity  and  humanity,  so 
faT  as  tliey  aim  at  and  have  for  their  special  object  the 
happiness  of  others  and  the  intellectual  and  moral  im- 
provement of  generations  to  come,  have  a  divinely- 
UTiposed  claim  upon  them. 

This  accounts  for  the  reason  that  many  of  these  be- 
nevolent enterprises  are  dependent  for  support  upon 
popular  excitement,  or  good  feeling,  or  generous  im- 
pulses, at  the  time  their  claims  are  presented,  much 
more  than  upon  iixed  religious  principle.  Instead  of 
Christians  regarding  their  support  as  a  part  of  their 
work  and  duty,  they  are  looked  upon  as  objects  of  mere 
charity,  Avhicii  may  or  may  not  be  sustained,  wholly  at 
their  option  or  caprice.  Until  the  principle  be  deeply 
fixed  in  the  hearts  of  Christians  that  Providence  de- 
mands that  they  should  not  live  to  themselves,  their 
.gifts  toward  the  support  of  such  institutions,  as  well 
as  their  personal  efibrts  to  alleviate  human  sufiering 
wherever  found,  will  fall  far  below  the  obligatimi  im- 
posed upon  them  in  God's  holy  word. 


yj  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 


XV 

Cost  of  Redemption. 


"  For  j-e  are  bought  with  a  price:  therefore  glorify  God  in  your 
body,  and  in  j'our  spirit,  which  are  God's."     (I.  Cor.  vi.  20.) 

To  the  accomplishment  of  great  ends,  several  things, 
and  usually  the  three  following,  are  necessary;  namely, 
time,  effort,  and  money,  or  their  equivalent.  No  great 
city  or  railroad  can  be  built,  or  any  other  large  under- 
taking accomplished,  without  them.  The  great  pyra- 
mid of  Egypt  was  from  twenty  to  thirty  years  in 
course  of  construction,  with  one  hundred  thousand 
men  employed  all  these  years,  who  were  exchanged 
at  the  end  of  every  three  months  for  fresh  laborers. 
Our  late  war  furnishes  another  illustration'  of  this 
proposition.  The  rebellion  was  subdued;,  but  it  re- 
quired time,  effort,  and  money,  a  large  amount  of  each, 
as  well  as  a  great  sacrifice  of  human  life. 

But  especially  is  it  true  that  great  moral  enterprises, 
such  as  contemplate  the  reformation,  elevation,  and 
salvation  of  man,  require  time,  effort,  and  money. 
Dr.  Judson  labored  six  long  years  in  Burmah  before 
he  witnessed  a  single  conversion  from  heathenism  to 
Christianity.  In  Siam  the  missionaries  labored  twelve 
1  years  before  a  single  conversion  took  place.  Rev.  Mr. 
Williams  was  seventeen  years  on  one  of  the  South 
Sea  islands  before  he  was  permitted  to  see  any  fruit  of 
his  labor.     The  Church  Missionary  Society  of  Great 


THE   MISSIONARY   "WOllK.  91 

Britain  was  nine  or  ten  years,,  with  about  an  equal 
number  of  laborers  in  the  field  all  this  time,  and  at  an 
expense  of  from  $90,000  to  $100,000  to  establish  its 
first  mission-station  in  Western  Africa.  These,  with 
many  similar  instances,  fully  establish  the  fact  that 
saving  men  from  sin  is  a  difficult  undertaking.  There 
is  in  man  a  strong  proclivity  to  forsake  God  and  to  do 
evil,  as  the  whole  history  of  our  race  shows.  Even 
those  who  have  been  initiated  into  his  kingdom  and 
made  the  subjects  of  special  favor  often  forget  God 
and  sin  grievously  against  him.  How  strikingly  is 
this  illustrated  in  the  history  of  the  Israelites  while 
they  sojourned  in  the  wilderness.  God  displayed 
miraculous  power  in  delivering  them  from  their  ene- 
mies in  Egypt,  at  the  Red  Sea,  and  at  numerous  other 
times.  They  saw  how  graciously  he  would  preserve 
and  bless  his  people,  and  how  terribly  he  would  pun 
isL  those  who  rebelled  against  him ;  and  yet  how  soon 
after  all  this  they  committed  high-handed  crime 
against  him;  for  when  Moses  came  down  from  the 
mountain  they  had  made,  and  were  worshiping,  a  gold- 
en calf.  We  would  suppose  after  what  they  had  seen 
of  God's  dealings  with  sin  and  his  goodness  to  his 
people  they  would  never  forsake  him  again. 

But  now  I'  wish  to  apply  the  proposition  that  all 
great  undertakings  require  time,  eftbrt,  and  money  to 
the  work  of  redemption  as  wrought  out  for  man  by 
Jesus  Christ.  And  first,  the  time.  Soon  after  the 
creation  of  our  first  parents  they  fell,  and  involved 
themselves  and  the  whole  human  race  in  sin;  for  "by 
the  ofiense  of  one,  judgment  came  upon  all  men  to 
condemnation."  "But  the  scripture  hath  concluded 
all  under  sin,  that  the  promise  by  faith  of  Jesus  Christ 
might  be  given  to  them  that  believe."     Four  thou- 


92  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

sand  3'ears  before  the  advent  of  Christ  to  earth  the 
promise  was  made  to  Adam  that  he  should  come. 
And  the  question  arises,  Why  did  he  delay  so 
long?  Why  not  come  at  once  and  redeem  the  world? 
Why  wait  four  thousand  years?  Why  not  give  the 
millions  who  lived  and  died  between  the  giving  of  the 
promise  of  a  Savior  and  his  appearance  on  earth,  the 
benetits  of  liis  teachings,  example,  and  the  ten  thousand 
blessings  he  bought  for  us.  As  an  all-benovoleut 
Father,  who  does  the  best  he  can  for  all  his  creatures, 
why  did  the  Almighty  delay  this  work  so  long?  The 
answer  is,  all  this  time  was  necessary  to  prepare  the 
world  for  redemption.  Men  are  slow  to  receive  re- 
ligious truth,  and  especially  that  which  teaches  that 
all  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God, 
and  are  utterly  undone  without  an  interest  in  Christ's 
blood. 

Had  Christ  come  soon  after  the  fall,  iniidels  would 
have  said,  as  indeed  some  do  say  now,  that  man  could 
and  would  have  fully  reb'ieved  his  losses  had  he  been 
left  alone.  He  could  by  his  own  effort  have  thrown 
off  the  evils  brought  upon  him  by  Adam's  transgres- 
sion and  lifted  himself  up  to  the  high  and  holy  posi- 
tion from  which  he  fell.  J!Tow  to  show  that  man  was 
so  depraved,  that  unaided  by  divine  grace  he  could  not 
do  this,  and  to  illustrate  the  holiness  of  God's  law,  his 
forbearance  toward  the  erring,  and  yet  his  justice  in 
punishing  sin,  and  to  give  us  such  knowledge  respect- 
ing his  character,  government,  and  our  need  of  re- 
demption as  was  indispensable  to  prepare  us  for  it, 
all  the  time  was  taken  that  was  necessary. 

(2 )  The  labor  necessary  to  accomplish  this  work. 
How  great  the  concern  of  our  heavenly  Father,  and 
how  numerous  the  instrumentalities,  human,  angelic, 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  93 

and  divine,  which  he  employed  to  prepare  the  world 
for  redemption.  How  many  angels'  visits  to  earth  to 
communicate  God's  messages  to  man,  and  how  numer- 
ous the  men  employed  for  this  same  purpose  in  the 
earlier  periods  of  the  world's  history.  E'oah,  Abra- 
ham, Isaac,  Jacob,  Moses,  Aaron,  Joshua,  David,  Sol- 
omon, Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  and  scores  of  others  who  offi- 
ciated as  prophets,  priests,  and  kings  preparatory  to 
this  end.  A  .long  catalogue  among  the  most  illus- 
trious names  that  earth  has  ever  produced  devoted 
their  lives  to  this  great  and  good  object. 

The  building  of  Noah's  ark,  and  the  preservation 
of  himself  and  family  during  the  flood;  Abraham's  so- 
journ in  a  strange  land ;  the  miraculous  birth  of  Isaac ; 
the  remarkable  history  of  Jacob ;  the  captivity  of  Jo- 
seph and  his  promotion  from  prison  to  the  royal  palace 
of  Egypt;  the  bondage  of  the  Israelites  in  that  land, 
and  their  miraculous  deliverance  from  it;  their  pas- 
sage over  the  Red  Sea,  and  forty  years'  sojourn  in  the 
wilderness;  their  linal  entrance  into  Canaan,  and 
driving  the  inhabitants  out  of  it ;  their  many  defeats 
and  victories ;  their  unparalleled  prosperity  and  sad  re- 
verses while  there ;  their  captivity  in  Babylon  and  re- 
turn to  Canaan  again  ;  their  religious  ceremonies  and 
sacrifices ;  their  services  of  the  tabernacle  and  of  the 
temple;  all  these,  and  more  than  time  or  space  will 
allow  to  speak  of,  stand  directly  connected  with  the 
work  of  human  redemption. 

Look  also  at  the  labors  and  privations  of  Christ 
while  he  was  upon  earth.  Who  before  or  since  his 
day  labored  so  assiduously  as  he?  He  was  an  itiner- 
ating missionary  in  the  true  sense  of  the  word,  and 
among  friends  and  foes,  in  village  and  in  country,  by 
day  and  by  night,  he  was   engaged  in  his  high  and 


94  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

holy  vocation.  By  prayer,  preaching  his  own  gospel, 
healing  the  sick,  casting  out  devils,  raising  the  dead, 
comforting  the  hereaved,  instructing  the  ignorant,  en- 
couraging the  virtuous  and  warning  the  vicious,  and 
especially  by  teaching  his  apostles  the  things  pertain- 
ing to  his  future  kingdom,  so  that  they  might  be  qual- 
ified for  their  work  after  his  return  to  heaven,  he 
labored  incessantly  for  three  years.  Now  all  this 
work  of  Christ,  men,  and  angels,  reaching  through  a 
period  of  four  thousand  years,  was  necessary  to  pre- 
pare the  world  for  redemption  and  redemption  for  the 
world. 

(2.)  Redemption  costs  money,  or  its  equivalent. 
The  daily  sacrifices  of  animals,  birds,  and  precious 
ointment  required  under  the  Mosaic  dispensation  cost 
a  great  deal,  to  say  nothing  of  the  very  costly  ofler- 
ings  required  on  special  occasions,  which  were  fre- 
quent. These  were  all  necessary  to  give  the  people 
just  conceptions  of  sin  and  the  means  requisite  to 
atone  for  it.  The  shedding  of  the  blood  of  animals 
typified  the  shedding  of  Christ's  blood,  and  the  atone- 
ment made  by  them  prefigured  the  atonement  made 
by  him.  In  this  way  men  were  taught  that  sin  was  a 
most  terrible  thing,  and  that  without  the  shedding  of 
blood  there  was  no  remission.  Cumbersome  as  was 
the  Mosaic  law,  and  greatly  as  the  time  and  means  of 
the  people  were  taxed  by  its  requirements,  all  was  nec- 
essary as  a  school-master  to  lead  the  world  to  Christ. 

Consider  also  the  cost  of  the  tabernacle  and  temple, 
especially  the  latter,  the  most  magnificent  edifice  the 
world  ever  saw.  Think  of  the  gold  and  silver  and 
costly  material  in  it.  God  built  but  one  church  on 
earth  that  we  know  of,  and  that  was  a  grand  one. 
This  temple  was  a  type  of  the  church  which  Christ 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK. 


95 


should  estaWish  in  this  world,  and  also  of  the  heaven- 
ly Jerusalem,  and  indispensable  to  give  proper  con- 
ceptions of  the  purity  and  grandeur  of  the  Christian's 
life  here  and  in  heaven.     The  priests  that  were  em- 
ployed, with  the  numerous  and  costly  services  of  the 
temple,  show  that  this  preparatory  work  of  redemp- 
tion was  exceedingly  costly.     To  compute  the  cost  of 
redemption  in  the  sense  in  which  it  is  here  presented 
would  be  impossible.     And  yet  all  this  is  but  a  small 
consideration  in  comparison  to  the  giving  of  the  life 
of  the  Son  of  God,  of  which  we  will  not  now  speak. 
The  redemption  of  the  world  was  an  exceedingly  cost- 
ly work,  and  yet  the  salvation  proffered  by  virtue  of  it 
is  free  to  all.     Truly  we  are  bought  with  a  price  and 
should  therefore  glorify  God  in  our  bodies  and  spirits, 
which   are  his.      This   we   should  do  by  living  true 
Christian  lives  and  laboring  zealously  to  give  the  bless- 
ings of  redemption  to    all  men.     It  will  cost  time,  la- 
bor, and  money  to  give  the  gospel  to  the  heathen;  but 
in  view  of  the  great  price  paid  for  our  redemption  we 
should  not  complain  of  any  demand  made  upon  us 
within  our  power  to  send  the  gospel  to  all  men.     If 
it  is  true,  as  the  Savior  teaches,  it  will  profit  nothing 
to  o-ain  the  whole  world  and  lose  the  soul,  then  it  is 
also  true  that  the  salvation  of  the  soul  through  the  re- 
demption of  Christ  is  the  greatest  achievement  possi- 
ble to  man. 


96  SUaGESTIVE   THOUGHTS    ON 


XVI. 

The  Grace  of  Liberality 


''See  that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also."     (11.  Cor.  viii.  7.) 

The  grace  referred  to  in  the  text  is  Christian  liber- 
ality. The  frequent  and  positive  manner  in  wliich  it 
is  enjoined  in  the ]S'e^Y  Testament  shows  that  it  is  high- 
ly essential ;  essential  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  poor, 
the  benevolent  enterprises  of  the  church,  and  to  the 
full  development  of  Christian  character.  One  reason 
why  the  apostles  speak  so  much  upon  this  subject  is 
that  Christians  are  more  apt  to  neglect  it  than  some 
other  religious  duties.  Then,  too,  it  requires  more  re- 
hgion  to  perform  it  than  some  others.  A  man  may 
pray,  or  even  preach,  and  succeed  reasonably  well, 
so  far  as  thought  and  delivery  are  concerned,  with  but 
little  grace;  but  to  give  as  he  ought,  and  to  do  this  in 
the  spirit  and  from  the  motive  he  should,  and  to  con- 
tinue in  it,  requires  God's  grace. 

IvTow,  much  as  the  Bible  says  of  prayer,  that  daily 
and  universally  binding  duty;  of  faith,  without  which 
no  man  can  please  God;  and  of  holiness,  without 
which  no  one  shall  see  the  Lord,  it  nowhere  has  two 
whole  chapters  devoted  exclusively  to  their  enforce- 
ment. But  in  this  second  book  of  Corinthians,  in 
the  eighth  and  ninth  chapters,  there  is  nothing  dis- 
cussed  but   Christian  liberality.     And  it   will  be  re- 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  97 

membered  that  Paul  was  writing  to  a  people  who  were 
already  reasonably  liberal — at  least  they  were  far  in 
advance  of  many  Christians  of  the  present  time.  Had 
he  addressed  his  letter  to  some  of  the  churches  of  this 
day,  he  might  have  said  much  more.  At  all  events, 
were  he  now  living,  and  were  he  to  urge  the  duty  of 
giving  as  he  does  in  this  epistle,  some  would  complain 
and  say  of  him  as  they  do  about  other  ministers, 
"Wish  he  would  preach  the  gospel,  and  let  money 
alone ;  we  are  tired  of  hearing  money  sermons." 

It  was  once  said  in  certain  portions  of  our  country, 
"Wish  the  minister  would  preach  the  gospel,  and  let 
slavery  alone."  But  how  could  he  let  slavery  alone, 
when  his  text  reads,  "Let  the  oppressed  go  free?" 
And  how  is  he  to  let  the  subject  of  money  alone,  when 
his  text  says,  " See  that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also?  " 
It  would  be  like  preaching  on  the  text,  "  Have  faith  in 
God,"  and  saying  nothing  of  faith  or  God.  Preach 
the  gospel,  and  let  our  sins  alone,  is  what  some  people 
desire;  and  that  is  just  what  ought  not  to  be  done. 
"What  kind  of  a  gospel  would  it  be  if  all  were  omitted 
that  people  object  to?  Paul  was  preaching  the  gospel 
when  he  discoursed  to  the  Corinthians  on  the  impor- 
tance and  duty  of  giving  money,  as  much  as  when  he 
said  to  them,  "  Dearly  beloved,  let  us  cleanse  ourselves 
from  all  filthiness  of  the  flesh  and  spirit,  perfecting 
holiness  in  the  fear  of  God."  That  he  did  make  the 
money  question  an  important  item  in  the  gospel  he 
communicated  to  the  Corinthians,  will  be  seen  by  the 
manner  in  which  he  introduced  the  subject.  The 
same  skill  and  argument  so  characteristic  of  this  em- 
inent apostle's  epistles,  are  seen  here:  "Moreover, 
brethren,  we  do  you  to  wit  of  the  grace  of  God  be- 
stowed on  the  churches  of  Macedonia."     Here  he  calls 


7 


98  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

the  spirit  of  liberality  whicli  the  Macedonians  exhibit- 
ed the  grace  of  God,  meaning,  doubtless,  but  for  this 
grace  of  God  in  their  conversion  they  would  not  have 
possessed  this  spirit.  Then  he  says,  "  To  their  power 
and  beyond  their  power  they  were  willing  of  them- 
selves to  give;"  that  is,  deprive  themselves  of  some 
of  the  blessings  of  life  that  others  might  have  its 
necessities.  As  a  matter  of  course,  all  superfluity  in 
food  and  raiment  was  dispensed  with  under  these  cir- 
cumstances. Their  religion  taught  them  to  put  their 
money  to  making  things  better  below  as  well  as  to  set 
their  aflfections  on  things  above;  for,  as  the  context 
shows,  they  "first  gave  their  own  selves  to  the  Lord," 
and  having  made  a  full  surrender  of  time,  talents,  and 
money,  they  promptly  and  faithfully  met  all  the  obli- 
gations which  such  a  relation  imposed.  They  felt  and 
acted  as  though  they  were  bought  with  a  price;  and 
that  the  end  of  life  was  to  glorify  God  in  their  bodies 
and  spirits,  which  embraced  their  money  too.  As  soon 
as  they  knew  of  others  in  want  they  gave  without 
being  asked,  and  gave  to  their  power,  "  and  beyond." 
How  different  now  in  most  instances.  Christians  often 
have  to  be  asked  and  pleaded  with,  yea,  urged  and 
pressed  to  give  to  objects  they  know  to  be  needy  and 
important,  and  then  often  give  but  little  instead  of 
giving  to  their  power,  and  beyond,  as  did  the  Mace- 
donians. In  them  and  in  those  Christians  who  sold 
their  possessions  and  placed  the  entire  proceeds  upon 
the  altar  we  have  what  very  seldom  happens  now. 

The  commendation  pronounced  upon  the  Macedo- 
nian Christians  by  Paul  was  for  the  twofold  purpose  of 
doing  justice  to  those  who  did  their  duty  and  stirring 
up  those  who  did  not.  It  is  said  that  we  should  pro- 
voke one  another  to  good   works — not  to  evil,  as  is 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  99 

often  done,  but  to  good  works.  Paul,  "by  the  example 
of  the  Macedonians,  strove  to  provoke  the  Corinthians 
to  greater  generosity  in  behalf  of  the  poor.  We  may 
infer  from  this  that  it  is  not  so  wicked  after  all,  as 
some  think,  to  use  outside  pressure  to  get  people  to  be 
liberal.  Paul  used  it,  and  that  in  a  most  telling  man- 
ner. He  felt  that  the  Corinthians  needed  more  of 
this  spirit;  and  he  proved  it,  both  by  the  example  of 
others  and  by  the  word  of  God.  One  thing  is  re- 
markable, namely,  while  he  acknowledged  that  the 
Macedonians  had  given  to  and  beyond  their  power,  he 
does  not  stop  to  caution  against  such  a  course.  I  sup- 
pose he  thought,  better  give  too  much  once  in  awhile 
than  never  enough,  as  the  majority  do.  A  most  ex- 
cellent opportunity  was  offered  the  apostle  to  show  up 
the  evils  of  giving  too  much;  and  had  he  believed  that 
the  world  needed  caution  on  that  side  of  the  question 
he  ought  to  have  given  it.  Christ  had  also  a  very 
striking  example  of  large-hearted  liberality  in  the 
case  of  the  poor  woman  when  he  saw  her  cast  in  all 
she  had;  and  yet  he  did  not  chide  her  or  point  out  the 
•evils  of  giving  so  freely.  Look  at  this  case  a  moment. 
Christ  was  seated  over  against  the  treasury,  and  he 
saw  the  people  casting  their  contributions  into  it — the 
rich  of  their  abundance  and  this  woman  of  her 
penury.  He  spoke  of  it,  and  had  it  recorded  in  the 
Bible;  and  why?  Why  stop  to  notice  so  small  an  af- 
fair as  this,  and  why  give  this  woman  such  a  com- 
mendation? Was  it  not  to  sanction  liberal  giving, 
and  to  rebuke  those  rich  men  who  with  thousands  at 
their  command  give  so  sparingly?  Those  who  want 
the  gospel  preached  so  as  to  miss  people's  sins  might 
complain  of  Christ's  course. 

With  such  examples  as  Paul  furnishes  in  his  ac- 


100  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

count  of  the  Macedonians  and  as  Christ  sets  forth  in 
the  case  of  the  poor  woman,  and  the  fact  that  though 
they  gave  so  largely  and  yet  were  not  rebuked  or  cau- 
tioned against  doing  so  by  the  apostle  or  the  Redeem- 
er, we  need  have  no  fears  that  any  arguments  or  en- 
treaties that  we  may  present  will  induce  the  people  to 
give  too  much.  We  need  not  refrain  from  using  the 
most  convincing,  yea,  overwhelming  arguments  for 
large-hearted  liberality.  Unless  it  can  be  shown  that 
Paul  was  fanatical,  and  that  he  ought  to  have  sent 
back  a  part  of  the  contribution  the  Macedonians  gave, 
and  that  Christ  did  wrong  in  commending  the  poor 
woman  for  having  given  her  all,  then  the  fact  is  estab- 
lished that  Christians  should  give,  though  it  does  de- 
prive them  of  some  of  the  blessings  of  life. 

But  Paul  used  an  example  of  greater  power  than 
that  of  the  Macedonians  to  impress  upon  the  Co- 
rinthians the  duty  of  liberality.  "  For  ye  know  the 
grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that,  though  he  was 
rich,  yet  for  your  sakes  he  became  poor,  that  ye 
through  his  poverty  might  be  rich."  Ye  Corinthians 
know — not  as  a  mere  historical  fact,  but  by  happy  ex- 
perience, by  your  freedom  from  the  lashings  of  a  guilty 
conscience,  by  the  joy  of  pardoning  love  and  the  hope 
of  immortality, — the  grace  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
which  grace  is  so  undeserved  upon  your  part  and  so 
full  and  free  upon  his  part,  so  universal  in  its  extent 
and  so  impartial  in  its  application.  Therefore,  "  Let 
this  mind  be  in  you,  which  was  also  in  Christ  Jesus." 
Like  your  Master,  spend  and  be  spent  in  doing  good. 

How  forcible  and  conclusive  are  the  apostle's  argu- 
ments in  favor  Of  large-hearted  liberality;  and  how 
Christians  with  the  love  of  Christ  in  the  soul  and  such 
arguments  and  examples  before  them  as  are  given  in 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  101 

the  Kew  Testament  can  give  so  little  to  the  cause 
of  Christianity  in  general,  and  to  missions  in  particu- 
lar, is  indeed  a  mystery.  Many  give  less  than  they 
do  to  gratify  their  tobacco  appetites;  and  others  waste 
hundreds  in  other  ways,  but  give  little  to  missions. 
One  of  two  thiu2:s  is  certain:  either  Christ  and  the 
apostles  did  too  much,  or  we  often  do  too  little.  They 
overestimated,  or  we  undervalue  the  worth  of  souls. 
They  gave  too  much,  or  we  give  too  little  to  save  men. 

But  suppose  a  few  millions  of  those  penny-squeezers 
should  get  to  heaven,  what  kind  of  heaven  would  it 
be?  The  iirst  thing  would  be  to  take  the  gold  in  the 
streets, — for  they  are  pure  gold, — and  start  mints,  and 
banks,  and,  as  of  old,  have  tables  of  money-changers ; 
and  if  they  were  required  to  pay  one  mill  to  the  hun- 
dred dollars  to  stay  in  heaven  they  would  leave  it  if 
they  could  carry  their  wealth  with  them  and  iind  a 
place  where  there  was  less  to  pay.  How  dilferent 
from  the  apostles  and  primitive  Christians,  who  suf- 
fered all  things,  lest  the  gospel  be  hindered.  They 
suffered  the  loss  of  ease,  earthly  honor,  and  money, 
rather  than  be  the  occasion  of  hindering  the  gospel. 
Ah!,  how  many  respectable  church-members  would 
rather  that  the  gospel  be  hindered  than  they  from  hav- 
ing thousands  of  dollars  at  large  interest  and  hoarding 
it  for  their  gratification  or  the  ruin  of  their  children, 
or  both,  as  so  often  is  the  case. 

Christianity  is  a  system  of  benevolence.  It  origin- 
ated in  the  benevolence  of  God,  was  inaugurated 
among  men  through  the  benevolence  of  Christ,  and  is 
to  be  perpetuated  and  pronmlgated  in  all  the  earth  bj 
the  benevolence  of  Christians.  Its  quintessence  is 
benevolence,  and  how  men  can  possess  it  and  yet  be 
penurious  is  a  great  puzzle.     Such  persons  are  either 


102  SUOaESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

deceived  themselves  or  they  try  to  deceive  others. 
They  frequently  object  to  missions  or  other  good  objects 
on  the  ground  of  their  cost,  when  this  could  all  be 
easily  met  were  they  to  give  no  more  than  the  Jews 
did  in  Old-Testament  times,  or  pay  for  these  purposes 
as  much  as  they  do  for  taxes  to  the  government. 
These  they  pay  because  they  must;  but  they  are  not 
compelled  by  law  to  pay  to  the  cause  of  Christianity, 
and  Christ  is  put  ofl'  with  a  mere  tithe  of  what  they  give 
to  CaBsar.     "  See  that  ye  abound  in  this  grace  also." 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  103 


XVII. 

Doing  Good  as  we  have  Opportunity. 


"As  we  have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do  good."     (Gal.  vl.   10.) 

When  Christianity,  by  the  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
so  takes  hold  upon  men  as  to  become  a  living,  opera- 
tive principle  of  their  souls,  influencing  the  affections 
of  their  hearts,  the  faculties  of  their  minds,  and  the 
powers  of  their  wills,  it  makes  them  Christians,  or,  as 
the  Savior  said,  the  light  of  the  world  and  salt  of  the 
earth.  The  spirit  of  usefulness,  or  doing  good,  is  an 
essential  element  of  true  religion.  It  is  not  a  mere 
appendage  to  it, — something  which  its  possessor  may 
or  may  not  do  without  affecting  his  piety, — but  is  it- 
self a  fundamental  principle  of  it.  To  constitute  one 
a  true  Christian,  this  spirit  must  be  srupreme  upon  the 
throne,  enlisting  all  his  faculties  and  powers,  and  im- 
pelling him  to  every  good  word  and  work. 

To  o-ive  assent  to  the  truth  of  God's  word,  make  a 
public  profession  of  religion,  and  strive  to  lead  an 
upright  life  is  only  a  part  of  religion.  IS'ot  until  the 
gospel  enters  the  soul  of  man,  searching  out  and  cast- 
ing out  every  sellish  principle,  and  producing  in  it  the 
moral  image  of  God,  making  it  godlike  in  character 
and  purpose,  may  it  be  said  of  any  one  that  he  is  a 
true  follower  of  Christ.  God's  benevolence  flows 
without  cessation.     His  goodness  is  seen  in  creation. 


104  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

redemption,  providence,  and  in  all  "his  wonderful 
works  to  the  children  of  men."  When  Moses  prayed, 
"I  beseech  thee,  shew  me  thy  glory,"  he  answered,  "J. 
will  make  all  my  goodness  pass  before  thee,  and  I  will 
proclaim  the  name  of  the  Lord  before  thee."  This 
was  the  highest  and  most  sublime  exhibition  of  his 
glory  lie  could  make  to  Moses  or  to  us.  "  The  Lord, 
The  Lord  God,  merciful  and  gracious,  long-sutfering, 
and  abundant  in  goodness  and  truth,"  is  God's  defini- 
tion of  himself  and  the  exhibition  of  his  glory  on  earth. 

He  is  still  abundant  in  goodness,  and  constantly 
causes  it  to  pass  before  the  succeeding  generations  of 
men ;  not  always  in  the  same  way  as  before  Moses,  but 
no  less  certainly.  It  is  seen  on  the  land,  on  the  ocean, 
in  the  starry  heavens,  and  in  the  bountiful  provision 
made  by  him  for  man  and  beast;  yea,  it  shines  in  the 
8un,  waves  in  the  fields  and  forests,  and  is  felt  in  every 
pulsation  of  life.  It  is  this  which  more  than  anything 
else  excites  the  admiration  and  wins  the  affections  of 
men.  No  display  of  power  or  grandeur  of  his  being 
which  God  could  make  to  us  would  so  favorably  im- 
press us  as  this.  When  Moses  saw  it  "  he  made  haste 
to  bow  his  head  toward  the  earth,  and  worshiped;" 
and  so  should  all  men.  There  is  point  to  Paul's  ques- 
tion, "  Or  despisest  thou  the  riches  of  his  goodness  and 
forbearance  and  long-suffering;  not  knowing  that  the 
goodness  of  God  leadeth  thee  to  repentance?" 

How  strikingly  also  was  the  divine  benevolence  or 
goodness  shown  in  the  life  and  works  of  Christ.  "In 
him  dwelleth  all  the  fullness  of  the  Godhead  bodily;" 
and  in  him  "are  hid  all  the  treasures  of  wisdom." 
"ISTever  man  spake  like  this  man."  He  brought  to 
light  many  wonderful  truths,  showing  what  was  in 
man,  thus  exciting  the  admiration  and  astonishment 


THE    MISSIONARY   WORK.  105 

of  all  who  heard  him.  Yet  the  distmguishing  glory, 
the  crowning  excellency  of  his  life  consisted  in  the 
fact  that  "  he  went  about  doing  good."  His  daily  life 
revealed  a  religion  which  silenced  all  criticism,  and 
commended  itself  to  all  men.  By  healing  the  sick, 
feeding  the  hungry,  teaching  the  ignorant,  and  doing 
good  to  the  souls  and  bodies  of  men,  he  exemplitied 
the  truths  he  taught  and  effectually  foreshadowed  his 
coming  kingdom,  which  should  bring  peace  on  earth 
and  good-will  to  men. 

What  lesson  is  also  taught  us  by  following  the  Mas- 
ter to  the  garden  of  Gethsemane,  to  Pilate's  bar,  and 
to  Calvary's  cross.  "Why  such  ignominy,  suffering,  and 
death  on  the  part  of  one  so  innocent,  lovely,  and  migh- 
ty? He  could  have  easily  escaped  them  all,  and  in  a 
moment  crushed  to  nonentity  those  who  brought  them 
upon  him.  Surely  he  would  not  have  endured  the 
agony  which  caused  his  sweat  to  become  as  great  drops 
of  blood,  and  which  extorted  from  his  lips  the  lan- 
guage, "My  God,  my  God,  why  hast  thou  forsaken 
me?"  had  there  not  been  some  great  lesson  to  be 
taught,  some  important  end  to  be  accomplished  there- 
by. John  explains  it  all  when  he  says,  "  Hereby  per- 
ceive we  the  love  of  God,  because  he  laid  down  his  life 
for  us :  and  we  ought  to  lay  down  our  lives  for  the 
brethren."  Paul  also  explains  in  this  language,  "  Who 
gave  himself  for  us,  that  he  might  redeem  us  from  all 
iniquity,  and  purify  unto  unto  himself  a  peculiar  peo- 
ple, zealous  of  good  works." 

Christ's  followers  are  expected  to  be  zealous  doers 
of  good  works,  in  imitation  of  their  Lord;  and  not 
until  they  become  such  is  the  end  for  which  Christ 
gave  himself  fully  accomplished  in  them.  In  profess- 
ing Christianity  we  place  ourselves  under  obligations 


106  SUGQEPTIVE  THOUGHTS  ON 

to  unite  religious  development  or  growth  in  grace  to 
Christian  activity  in  doing  good.  In  this  way  we 
strengthen  our  capacities  both  for  usefulness  and 
enjoyment.  Alleviating  human  sorrow  and  saving 
men  from  their  sins  imparts  a  peace  to  our  souls,  and 
kindles  in  us  an  enthusiasm  essential  to  a  successful 
Christian  life.  "It  is  more  blessed  to  give  than  to  re- 
ceive." The  benefactor  receives  the  largest  share  of 
the  good  accruing  therefrom.  Helping  others  is  the 
surest  way  to  be  helped,  and  doing  good  the  certain 
way  to  get  good. 

But  are  we  required  to  make  sacrifices  to  do  good? 
If  so,  to  what  extent?  Said  the  Savior,  "If  any 
man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  himself,  and 
take  up  his  cross,  and  follow  me.  For  whosoever  will 
save  his  life  shall  lose  it :  and  whosoever  will  lose  his 
life  for  my  sake  shall  find  it."  Again:  "Verily  I  say 
unto  you,  There  is  no  man  that  hath  left  house,  or 
parents,  or  brethren,  or  wife,  or  children,  for  the  king- 
dom of  God's  sake,  who  shall  not  receive  manifold 
more  in  this  present  time,  and  in  the  world  to  come 
life  everlasting."  Christian  self-denial  is  certainly 
taught  in  these  passages  and  other  portions  of  God's 
word;  and  yet,  when  really  done  for  Christ's  sake,  it 
is  simply  giving  up  a  small  good  for  a  large  one,  or 
letting  go  of  transient  and  temporal  good  for  perma- 
nent and  heavenly  blessedness. 

Giving  up  this  world  for  Christ's  sake  is  taking  fuller 
possession  of  it  than  can  otherwise  be  obtained,  as 
well  as  securing  a  perpetual  inheritance  in  the  heaven 
ily  world.  In  short,  it  is  taking  a  lien  upon  all  that  is 
good  in  both  worlds.  "All  are  yours,  and  ye  are 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's."  This  world  and  all 
worlds  belong  to  God;  and  in  his  presence  the  Chris- 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  107 

tian  is  at  home,  tliough  lie  be  far  from  friends  and 
earthly  possessions.  He  is  more  at  home  in  the  line  of 
duty  in  heathen  lands  suffering  for  Christ's  sake  than 
it  is  possible  to  be  out  of  the  line  of  duty,  though  in 
the  possession  of  all  earthly  good.  Doing  the  good 
our  heavenly  Father  bids  us  do,  though  at  the  cost 
of  every  earthly  treasure,  brings  a  rich  reward,  and 
should  be  regarded  as  a  high  prerogative  rather  than 
a  great  sacrifice.  "Would  that  Christians  realized  this 
grand  truth.  Then  would  Zion  put  on  her  strength 
and  Jerusalem  her  beautiful  garments.  Then  would 
the  heathen  soon  receive  the  gospel,  and  the  church 
abound  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glory. 

Who  are  the  men  that  have  been  most  happy,  have 
made  the  most  lasting  impressions  upon  society,  and 
have  guided  the  nations  ?  Are  they  the  military  heroes 
who  have  led  armies  to  conquest,  or  the  explorers  who 
have  discovered  new  worlds,  or  the  inventors  who  have 
lessened  labor  and  promoted  the  material  wealth  of 
the  world  by  their  ingenuity  and  skill,  or  the  scholars 
who  have  added  so  much  to  scientific  knowledge  and 
mental  culture?  Yes,  these  to  some  extent;  but  more 
than  they,  Christian  philanthropists  who  gave  their 
lives,  to  schemes  of  benevolence  for  the  good  of  others. 
These  are  the  great  lights  of  the  world.  They  have 
enthroned  themselves  upon  the  memories  and  in  the 
affections  of  men.  Doing  good  on  Bible  principles  se- 
cures both  human  and  divine  honors.  Worldly  fame, 
human  ambition,  or  selfish  motives  do  not  enter  into 
this  as  they  may  into  the  exploits  of  warriors,  explor- 
ers, scientists,  and  other  great  men  who  live  and  labor 
merely  for  earthly  considerations. 

Moses,  Paul,  Luther,  Wesley,  Knox,  Brainard,  Jud- 
son,  Howard,  Livingstone,  and  many  others,  will  never 


108  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS   ON 

be  forgotten  on  eartli;  nor  in  heaven,  for  many  will 
there  rise  up  and  call  them  blessed.  Could  we  have 
an  adequate  idea  of  the  exercises  of  their  souls,  all 
ablaze  with  benevolent  feelings  and  activities,  and 
could  we  show  how  through  these  spiritual  light  and 
peace  flowed  into  their  own  souls  as  a  result  of  their 
labors  to  benefit  and  save  others, — how,  while  causing 
the  streams  of  salvation  and  earthly  good  to  flow  into 
the  souls  of  others,  they  brought  Heaven's  richest 
blessing  to  their  own, — then  would  we  furnish  the 
grandest  argument  that  can  be  presented  in  favor  of 
doing  good,  and  one  that  would  carry  conviction  to 
every  heart. 

Thousands  now  in  heaven  thank  God  that  he  gave 
them  a  disposition  and  the  opportunity  to  do  good; 
yea,  that  he  opened  their  spiritual  eyes,  instilled  into 
their  souls  the  principle  of  doing  good,  and  gave  them 
to  experience  the  precious  truth  that "  it  is  more  bless- 
ed to  give  than  to  receive."  Said  a  dying  Christian, 
"  What  I  have  spent  is  gone ;  what  I  have  lost  is  be- 
yond my  grasp;  but  what  I  gave  away  for  Christ's 
sake  I  carry  with  me."  "Blessed  are  the  dead  which 
die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth:  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit, 
that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors;  and  their  works 
do  follow  them."  The  periods  of  the  greatest  pros- 
perity of  the  church,  as  in  apostolic  times,  have  been 
when  its  zeal  and  liberality  were  most  active.  This 
spirit  gave  them  a  moral  courage,  a  spiritual  power, 
and  a  religious  joy  which  they  could  never  have  ob- 
tained otherwise. 

It  is  remarkable  what  an  amount  of  good  may  be 
done  in  a  short  life-time  by  a  single  individual  fully 
imbued  with  this  spirit.  Who  can  measure  the  re- 
sults of  the  labors  of  Messrs.  Moody  and  Miiller  ?    But 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  109 

men  need  not  be  ministers  to  be  useful.  True,  this 
position  gives  tliem  great  opportunities  to  do  good ; 
but  laymen  may  do  good,  great  good.  IS'either  need 
they  be  rich  to  do  good.  Some  very  poor  people  have 
done  great  good.  The  widow's  mite  has  multiplied 
into  millions,  and  will  continue  to  do  so  as  long  as 
time  endures.  But  to  do  good  truly  they  must  have 
hearts  warmed  with  the  love  of  Christ,  wills  sanctified 
by  his  Spirit,  and  lives  consecrated  to  his  service.  In 
short,  all  their  intellectual,  spiritual,  and  material  re- 
sources must  be  brought  into  his  service.  "As  we 
have  therefore  opportunity,  let  us  do  good."  Oppor- 
tunity we  will  have,  and  ability  we  may  have  in  great- 
ly increased  measure  if  we  are  fully  the  Lord's. 


110  SUGGESTIVE  THOUGHTS  ON 


XVIII. 

Preaching  the  Unsearchable  Riches  of  Christ. 


"  That  I  should  preach  among  the  gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  Christ."     (Eph.  iii.  8.) 

The  theme  of  this  text  is  the  gospel  and  its  promul- 
gation among  the  heathen,  or,  as  stated  by  its  author, 
preaching  "  among  the  gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches 
of  Christ."  The  language  is  strong  and  exceedingly 
expressive,  but  not  too  much  so  to  represent  the  value 
of  the  gospel.  Such  riches  of  grace,  knowledge,  sav- 
ing power,  love,  and  mercy  as  are  contained  in  the  gos- 
pel may  well  be  called  "the  unsearchable  riches  of 
Christ."  Had  Paul  lived  and  continued  to  preach  and 
write  until  the  present  time,  he  could  not  have  fully 
shown  the  value  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  It  is  possi- 
ble to  compute  the  wealth  of  the  mightiest  nations, 
and  perhaps  of  the  whole  world;  but  in  the  gospel 
there  is  a  mine  of  wealth  which  no  mathematical  cal- 
culation can  show. 

By  a  comparison  of  its  value  with  the  riches  of  earth 
we  may  learn  something,  yea,  much  of  its  worth;  and 
the  more  carefully  this  is  done  the  more  fully  will  it 
appear  to  be  "  unsearchable  riches."  Said  the  author 
of  this  text  in  one  of  his  other  epistles,  "  0  the  depth 
of  the  riches  both  of  the  wisdom  and  knowledge  of 
God !  how  unsearchable  are  his  judgments,  and  his  ways 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  HI 

past  finding  out!"  Said  the  psalmist,  "Such  knowl- 
edge is  too  wonderful  for  me;  it  is  high,  I  can  not  at- 
tain unto  it."  That  the  gospel  does  exert  a  wonderful 
power  for  good  over  individuals  and  nations  may  be 
seen  by  a  comparison  of  those  countries  where  it  is 
with  those  where  it  is  not.  Look  at  the  complexion 
which  it  gives  to  their  civil  institutions,  the  order 
and  prosperity  it  gives  to  business,  the  protection  it 
gives  to  life  and  property,  and  the  provision  it  makes 
for  the  insane,  blind,  dumb,  and  unfortunate  of  every 
kind.  1^0  such  provision  is  made  for  them  in  heathen 
lands;  but  they  are  left  to  perish,  or  are  killed  out- 
right. 

Contrast,  also,  the  knowledge  of  the  sciences,  me- 
chanical arts,  and  the  many  useful  discoveries — the 
power  of  the  press,  steam,  electricity,  and  the  numer- 
ous institutions,  human  and  divine,  which  do  so  much 
to  alleviate  human  suffering  and  promote  happiness — 
found  in  Christian  lands  with  that  which  exists  else- 
where, and  the  gospel  will  indeed  appear  to  be,  as  it 
is,  "unsearchable  riches."  The  riches  of  earth  are 
esteemed  valuable  by  men,  as  is  proved  by  the  struggles 
they  put  forth  to  obtain  them.  Yet  they  can  only  sup- 
ply material  wants,  and  those  to  a  limited  extent,  but 
can  do  nothing  toward  meeting  our  greatest  need. 
The  wants  of  the  soul  far  exceed  those  of  the  body 
and  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  alone  can  sup- 
ply them.  If  the  wants  of  the  body  are  not  met,  there 
will  be  sufiering';  but  it  can  not  be  very  long,  as  death 
will  put  an  end  to  it  in  a  comparatively  short  time. 
But  if  the  wants  of  the  soul  are  not  provided  for 
endless  sufiering  will  be  the  result. 

Man  is  a  sinner,  and  as  such  is  guilty  before  God. 
And  whatever  other  wants  press  upon  him  there  is  one 


112  SUGGESTIVE  THOUGHTS  ON 

which  far  exceeds  them  all,  and  which  the  gospel  alone 
can  meet  and  must  supply  in  this  life,  or  he  can  not  be 
happy  here  or  hereafter.  That  want  is  pardon.  Let 
me  illustrate  this.  Suppose  a  man  is  guilty  of  a  cap- 
ital ofiense,  and  by  the  law  adjudged  to  be  deserving 
of  death.  The  Court  pronounces  the  sentence  of  death 
upon  him,  and  he  is  remanded  back  to  prison  to  await 
the  day  of  execution.  I^ow  what  does  he  regard  as 
his  greatest  want  ?  What  would  he  say  to  the  proffer 
of  gold,  or  earthly  riches  of  any  kind  ?  Would  he 
not  answer,  "Keep  your  treasure,  but,  if  possible,  pro- 
cure a  pardon  for  me?"  Pardon  is  his  great,  yea,  his 
only  want.  At  least  without  this  all  else  would  do 
him  but  little  good,  and  do  that  good  but  for  a  little 
while;  but  with  it  he  would  feel  rich,  however  great 
his  poverty  in  material  things.  This  alone  would  bring 
him  comfort. 

Such  is  man  in  his  unsaved  state.  He  is  under  the 
condemnatory  sentence  of  God's  law,  and  by  it  doom- 
ed to  death.  The  soul  that  sinneth,  it  shall  die.  And 
all  have  sinned  and  come  short  of  the  glory  of  God. 
"  Sin  entered  into  the  world,  and  death  by  sin ;  and  so 
death  passed  upon  all  men,  for  that  all  have  sinned." 
Without  pardon  the  sentence  of  death  will  be  executed. 
Hence  man's  iirst  great  want  is  pardon.  Without  this 
he  can  not  be  happy,  either  in  time  or  in  eternity.  And 
it  is  in  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  alone  that 
pardon  is  oftered  to  all.  "  God  is  made  unto  us  wis- 
dom, and  righteousness,  and  sanctification,  and  redemp- 
tion;" and  the  invitation  is,  "Let  the  wicked  forsake 
his  way,  and  the  unrighteous  man  his  thoughts :  and 
let  him  return  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  will  have  mercy 
upon  him ;  and  to  our  God,  for  he  will  abundantly 
pardon."     How  full,  how  free,  and  how  glorious  the 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  113 

provision  made  for  us  by  Christ,  who  "hath  brought 
life  and  immortality  to  light  through  the  gospel." 

Well  may  the  apostle  exclaim,  "For  we  which  have 
believed  do  enter  into  rest."  Faith  in  Jesus,  such  as 
sweetly  works  by  love  and  purifies  the  soul,  alone  can 
give  the  troubled  spirit  rest ;  and  without  this  there  is 
an  aching  void  which  this  world  can  never  fill.  We 
may  multiply  earthly  ricVies,  gain  great  fame  among 
men,  possess  all  the  good  that  earth  can  give,  and  yet 
the  soul  will  be  unsatisfied  without  Christ,  the  hope  of 
glory  formed  within.  With  this,  poverty  may  pinch, 
the  world  may  frown,  and  Satan  may  rage,  but  still 
the  Christian  has  the  sweet  assurance  that  all  things 
work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God,  Well 
may  he  sing,  as  he  often  does : 

'  '''TIs  religion  that  can  give 

Sweetest  pleasures  while  we  live, 
'Tis  religion  must  supply- 
Solid  comfort  when  we  die." 

And  anticipating  the  future  he  continues  to  sing: 

"After  death  its  joys  shall  be 
Lasting  as  eternity ; 
Be  the  living  God  my  friend, 
Then  my  bliss  shall  never  end." 

One  of  the  most  blessed  things  in  connection  with  a 
Christian  life  is  the  fact  that  just  at  those  periods  of 
its  existence  when  earthly  treasures  utterly  fail  to  af- 
ford happiness,  as  in  times  of  great  misfortune,  aifiic- 
tion,  and  death,  then  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ 
meet  every  want  of  our  circumstances.  Ko  condition 
of  life  can  deprive  the  Christian  of  the  consolations  of 
religion  on  earth,  or  rob  him  of  his  inheritance  in 
heaven,  so  long  as  Christ  and  the  riehes  which  he  pur- 

8 


114  SUGGESTIVE  THOUGHTS  ON 

chased  for  him  are  his.  Said  the  apostle,  "  For  I  am 
persuaded,  that  neither  death,  nor  life,  nor  angels,  nor 
principalities,  nor  powers,  nor  things  present,  nor 
things  to  come,  nor  height,  nor  depth,  nor  any  other 
creature,  shall  be  able  to  separate  us  from  the  love  of 
God,  which  is  in  Christ  Jesus  our  Lord."  The  riches 
of  earth  may  be  taken  from  the  Christian,  and  often 
are;  but  the  riches  of  grace  in  Christ  Jesus  can  not 
be  taken  away  without  his  consent. 

To  estimate  properly  the  value  of  the  gospel,  how- 
ever, we  must  do  more  than  show  the  good  it  does  on 
earth.  We  must  also  know  the  number  of  the  saved 
and  the  value  of  their  inheritance  in  heaven,  which  is 
simply  impossible.  True,  the  Scriptures  speak  of  a 
"great  multitude  which ^no  man  could  number,"  and 
that  the  saved  shall  have  •'  a  crown  of  life  "  and  "  a  far 
more  exceeding  and  eternal  weight  of  glory."  But  as 
to  the  number  of  the  one  and  the  value  of  the  other 
we  are  left  to  conjecture,  and  will  be  until  we  reach 
heaven.  "  Eye  hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither 
have  entered  into  the  heart  of  man,  the  things  which 
God  hath  prepared  for  them  that  love  him."  It  is 
enough  for  us  to  know  that  great  multitudes  will  be 
saved  ;  and  they  shall  be  perfectly  happy,  beyond  the 
possibility  of  their  being  otherwise,  or  of  losing  their 
heavenly  inheritance. 

Kow  in  view  of  the  value  of  the  gospel,  its  many 
and  most  precious  blessings,  both  in  this  life  and  that 
which  is  to  come,  need  we  marvel  that  Paul  went  forth 
so  gladly  to  preach  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ 
to  the  gentiles?  Had  he  been  able  to  make  every 
man,  woman,  and  child  in  the  world  as  wealthy  as  the 
Rothschilds,  and  as  learned  and  great  as  earth's  great- 
est, it  would  have'  been  a  very  small  gift  in  comparison 


TUE    MISSIONARY   AVORK.  116 

to  giving  them  the  "  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ." 
So  he  believed  and  acted,  and  so  do  all  believe  and 
act  who  have  that  high  appreciation  of  the  benefits  of 
the  gospel  which  it  deserves.  To  give  the  gospel  to 
all  men,  so  far  as  this  was  possible,  was  the  chief  work 
of  his  life,  and  the  only  thing  he  thought  worthy  of 
nis  eitbrt.  Hence  his  language,  "For  I  determined 
not  to  know  anything  among  you,  save  Jesus  Christ, 
and  him  crucified;"  that  is,  I  will  not  know  wealth, 
nor  ease,  nor  honor  among  men ;  I  will  know  and  do 
nothing  but  preach  "  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ." 

Were  Paul  now  living,  with  our  increased  facilities 
for  promulgating  the  gospel  and  the  pressing  demands 
for  such  labors,  he  doubtless  would  be  still  more  en- 
thusiastic to  give  the  gospel  to  every  creature  than  he 
was  when  he  wrote  the  text.  Il^Tever  was  there  a  time 
when  there  were  so  many  inviting  fields  and  such 
pressing  demands  for  Christian  activity  in  this  depart- 
ment of  labor  as  now.  How  closely  or  near  to  each 
other  are  the  ends  of  the  world  now^  brought  by  the 
use  of  steam  and  electricity.  Distance  is  no  longer  a 
hinderance  to  the  free  and  constant  intercourse  with 
all  the  nations  of  earth.  We  can  now  q[uickly  go  to 
every  heathen  people,  and  they  can  readily  come  to  us ; 
and  coming  they  are,  as  the  100,000  Chinamen  on  the 
Pacific  coast  show. 

God  is  rolling  events  together  with  amazing  rapidi- 
ty. What  was  formerly  the  work  of  a  day  in  travel 
and  business  is  now  reduced  to  that  of  an  hour;  and 
equally  rapid  are  the  communications  of  thought. 
Look  at  what  has  been  done  within  the  last  few  years. 
In  our  own  country  slavery  has  been  abolished, 
telegraph  lines  have  been  stretched  across  the  Atlantic 
Ocean,  the  Pacific  Railroad  has  been  built,  and  other 


116  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

enterprises  equally  great  are  rapidly  approaching  com- 
pletion. By  these  and  other  methods  God  is  opening 
the  way  for  the  rapid  diffusion  of  the  gospel,  and  for 
removing  obstatcles  which  heretofore  have  been  in  its 
way.  "With  such  opportunities  to  give  the  gospel  to 
all,  and  the  vast  resources  we  have  for  doing  this,  the 
church  ought  to  rush  forward  to  achieve  the  speedy 
conquest  of  earth  to  Christ. 

The  same  faith  and  consecration  that  the  apostles 
had  would  give  the  gospel  to  all  men  before  this  gen- 
eration passes  away.  And  did  the  Almighty  ask  us 
why  we  had  less,  what  would  be  our  answer?  Why, 
with  the  same  missionary  spirit  that  they  had  our 
excuses  for  doing  so  little  would  be  as  hateful  to  us  as 
they  are  to  God.  With  the  zeal  they  had  for  the  sal- 
vation of  souls,  how  gladly  would  we  go  to  the  hea- 
then, and  how  our  people  would  pour  in  their  money, 
and  push  us  off  by  scores  into  heathen  lands,  among 
the  Chinese  of  California,  and  elsewhere.  Then,  in- 
stead of  paying  about  twenty-five  cents  to  the  mem- 
ber it  would  be  nearer  twenty-five  dollars  upon  an 
average.  And  then  those  dull  pastors  who  drag  their 
slow  length  to  their  regular  appointments  to  preach 
dull  sermons  for  a  whole  year  without  a  single  dis- 
course upon  missions,  such  as  warms  the  soul  and 
opens  the  pocket-book,  would  have  to  become  more 
zealous  and  efficient,  or  get  out  of  the  way  for  men 
who  would  be  somewhat  apostolic  in  their  labors. 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  117 


XIX. 

Caring  for  the  Welfare  of  Others. 


'Look  not  every  man  on  his  own  things,  but  every  man  also  on  the 
things  of  others."      (Phil.  ii.  4.) 

To  obtain  the  full  meaning  of  the  text,  the  word 
"only"  should  be  supplied,  which  would  make  the 
reading  thus :  Look  not  every  man  only  on  his  own 
things,  but  every  man  also  on  the  things  of  others. 
Paul  did  not  intend  to  teach  that  it  was  wrong  for 
Christians  to  look  after  their  own  interests  and  wants, 
but  that  it  was  wron^  for  them  to  be  indifferent  to  the 
welfare  of  others.  It  is  right,  yea,  our  duty  to  look 
after  our  own  things,  and  provide  for  our  own  wants. 
"  But  if  any  provide  hot  for  his  own,  and  specially  for 
those  of  his  own  house,  he  hath  denied  the  faith,  and 
is  worse  than  an  infidel."  That  professor  of  religion 
who  does  not  use  all  reasonable  industry  and  economy 
to  secure  for  himself  and  those  under  his  care  what- 
ever is  necessary  to  their  health  and  comfort  gives  ev- 
idence that  he  is  not  a  true  disciple  of  Christ. 

Self-preservation  is  said  to  be  the  lirst  law  of  nature, 
and  self-salvation  may  well  be  called  the  first  law  of 
grace.  Self-preservation  from  temporal  want,  danger, 
and  injury,  and  self-salvation  from  sin,  its  guilt,  pollu- 
tion, and  dominion  are  the  first  duties  that  we  should 
perform,  or  laws  that  we  should  obey.     And  there  is 


118  SUGaESTIVE  THOUGHTS  ON 

no  conflict  whatever  between  these  two — that  is  to 
say,  no  necessary  worldly  interest  needs  to  be  neglect- 
ed to  be  a  Christian,  nor  need  any  religious  duty  be 
omitted  to  be  a  worldling  so  far  as  this  is  necessary  to 
secure  that  which  is  requisite.  By  the  observance  of 
these  laws,  we  secure  present  and  future  happiness, 
and  the  neglect  of  them  brings  certain  disgrace  and 
suffering.  He  that  does  not  provide  for  his  physical 
wants  will  su:^r  with  hunger  and  cold,  and  ought 
to;  he  that  does  not  provide  for  his  intellectual  wants 
will  suffer  as  an  ignoramus,  and  ought  to  ;  and  he  that 
does  not  provide  for  his  spiritual  wants  will  suffer  as 
a  sinner,  and  ought  to. 

God  has  inseparably  connected  our'  happiness  with 
looking  after  our  own  things.  But  while  we  should 
do  this,  we  are  also  under  obligations  to  look  after  the 
things  of  others.  God  has  made  our  obligations  so 
personal  that  each  one  is  in  duty  bound  to  look  after 
his  own  tilings,  and  also  so  general  that  no  one  is  ex- 
empt from  looking  after  the  welfare  of  others.  JSTo 
condition  in  life  can  raise  us  above  or  place  us  below 
this  obligation,  unless  it  be  unavoidable  incapacity. 
"Let  us  not  be  weary  is  well-doiug:  for  in  due  season 
we  shall  reap  if  we  faint  not."  In  well-doing  for  our- 
selves and  others,  we  shall  reap  happiness  in  this  life 
and  in  the  world  to  come.  But  in  what  respects  and  to 
what  extent  is  it  our  duty  to  look  after  the  things  of 
others?  The  Bible  never  enjoins  a  duty,  or  points  to 
a  path  in  which  to  travel,  without  clearly  telling  us 
how  we  may  lind  that  path  and  perform  that  duty. 
In  the  following  passage  we  have  full  directions: 
"Therefore,  all  things  whatsoever  ye  would  that  men 
should  do  to  you  do  ye  even  so  to  them."  In  doing 
to  others  as  we  would  have  them  do  to  us,  we  will  not 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  119 

take  advantage  of  them  in  a  business  transaction,  or 
misrepresent  them  in  character,  or  influence  tliem  to 
what  would  be  detrimental  to  their  interests.  If  men 
would  always  talk  of,  and  exert  their  influence  over, 
and  deal  with  their  fellows  as  they  would  have  others 
speak  of,  act  toward,  and  deal  with  themselves,  what 
a  different  world  this  would  be. 

It  is  just  as  easy  for  some  men  to  beat  others  in 
striking  a  bargain  as  it  is  for  some  to  do  this  with 
their  fists,  and  just  as  honorable  to  do  the  last  as  the 
first.  Because  one  man  has  more  financial  tact  or 
money-sense  than  another,  this  does  not  make  it  right 
for  him  to  use  it  to  the  injury  of  the  weaker  man. 
Yea,  it  only  places  the  stronger  one  under  greater 
obligations  to  help  him.  He  should  the  more  scrupu- 
lously look  after  his  things,  consider  his  wants,  and 
have  respect  for  his  rights.  Instead  of  looking  after 
his  things  to  get  them  from  him  he  should  look  after 
them  to  prevent  their  loss.  It  is  not  right  to  take 
always  all  that  can  be  got  in  a  bargain,  the  general  be- 
lief and  practice  of  the  world  to  the  contrary  notwith- 
standing. To  take  advantage  of  the  necessities  of 
others,  and  rob  them  rather  than  to  help  them,  is  crime 
against  our  fellow-men  and  sin  against  God. 

The  Bible  rule  is  that  the  more  favored  and  success- 
ful are  to  assist  those  who  can  not  so  well  take  care 
of  themselves.  The  strong  ought  to  bear  the  infirm- 
ities of  the  weak.  Where  much  is  given  much  is  re- 
quired ;  and  if  one  man  has  tenfold  greater  gifts  and  abil- 
ity than  has  another  to  acquire  property,  or  to  aid  in 
building  up  the  cause  of  Christianity,  either  by  his  talents 
or  money,  or  both,  he  will  be  required  to  do  ten  times 
as  much.  Did  Christians  more  fully  recognize  and 
act  out  the  truth  that  they  are  not  their  own,  but  that 


120  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

they  belong  to  Christ  and  his  kingdom,  and  that  they 
should  glorify  God  in  their  bodies  and  spirits,  and 
work  for  him  with  heads,  hearts,  and  purses,  the  obli- 
gations resting  upon  them  to  look  after  the  things  of 
others  would  receive  a  heartier  response  than  now. 

It  is  true  that  in  this  and  other  Christian  lands  this 
Bible  principle  is  being  recognized  and  acted  upon 
both  by  civil  and  ecclesiastical  legislators.  Our  com- 
mon-school system  is  based  upon  it.  It  makes  the 
rich  man's 'money  help  educate  the  poor  man's  chil- 
dren. Our  legislators  also  provide  asylums  for  the 
blind,  deaf  and  dumb,  and  insane.  We  also  have 
alms-houses  and  hospitals  for  the  afflicted  and  helpless 
poor.  In  other  countries,  especially  in  pagan  lands, 
no  such  provision  is  made.  Hence  there  is  but  lit- 
tle or  no  correct  education ;  and  the  unavoidably  poor, 
and  the  unfortunate,  and  afflicted,  of  whom  there  are 
thousands,  are  left  to  grow  up  in  utter  ignorance  or  are 
killed  outright,  to  avoid  the  annoyance  and  trouble  of 
taking  care  of  them.  Christianity  alone  teaches  the 
duty  of  looking  after  the  things  of  others. 

With  this  principle  inculcated  into  our  religious  sys- 
tem, and  acted  upon  by  our  legislators  and  the  mana- 
gers of  humane  institutions,  it  is  but  reasonable  that 
the  Christian  church  would  organize  missionary,  tract, 
and  Bible  societies  for  the  specific  object  of  looking  aft- 
er the  spiritual  welfare  of  others.  The  great  marvel  is, 
with  the  Bible  as  their  guide,  that  it  has  not  done  this 
more  generally  and  successfully.  Christ's  last  work 
upon  earth  was  to. organize  his  followers  into  a  mis- 
sionary society,  and  his  last  command  was  that  they 
should  go  into  all  the  world  and  "disciple"  all  nations. 
And  the  apostles  and  their  followers  clearly  under- 
stood that  the  great  work  of  their  lives,  next  to  work- 


THE   MISSIONARY  WORK.  121 

ing  out  their  own  salvation,  was  to  carry  the  gospel  to 
the  ends  of  the  earth,  and  thus  imitate  Christ  in  look- 
ing after  the  welfare  of  others. 

When  Paul  said  that  he  counted  all  thinscs  loss  for 
the  excellency  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ  Jesus  the 
Lord,  and  that  he  was  ready  not  only  to  go  into  bonds 
but  to  death  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  he  expressed  the 
view  which  he  and  the  early  Christians  had  of  their 
duty  to  their  fellow-men.  When  we  contrast  the 
hearty,  heroic,  and  untiring  labors  of  the  primitive 
church  with  the  weak  and  spasmodic  efforts  of  many 
now,  we  are  constrained  to  say.  How  are  the  mighty 
fallen !  We  are  glad,  however,  to  know  that  there  is 
a  waking  up,  and  that  within  the  last  half  century  a 
number  have  shown  some  of  the  zeal  and  earnest  en- 
deavor that  existed  in  the  apostolic  churches  to  save 
the  heathen. 

That  we  may  properly  look  after  the  religious  wants 
of  others,  we  must  ourselves  be  spiritual.  A  living 
union  with  Christ  is  an  absolute  necessity  to  give  us 
the  disposition  and  ability  .to  properly  look  after  the 
things  of  the  spiritually  destitute.  We  can  not  suc- 
cessfully teach  others  to  travel  heavenward  without 
doing  this  ourselves.  It  is  said  that  "the  natural  man 
receiveth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God :  for  they 
are  foolishness  unto  him :  neither  can  he  know  them, 
because  they  are  spiritually  discerned."  As  the  things 
of  science  are  scientifically  discerned,  so  the  things  of 
the  Spirit  are  spiritually  discerned.  That  we  may  be 
mighty  through  God  to  the  pulling  down  of  the 
strongholds  of  Satan  we  must  be  spiritual.  If  any 
man  have  not  the  spirit  of  Christ,  he  is  none  of  his, 
and  as  a  matter  of  course  can  not  be  a  co-worker  with 
him  in  leading  others  to  salvation. 


122  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS   ON 

"The  love  of  Christ  constraineth  us,"  said  the  apos- 
tle; and  said  Jeremiah,  "Oh  that  my  head  were 
waters,  and  mine  eyes  a  fountain  of  tears,  that  I  might 
weep  day  and  night  for  the  slain  of  the  daughter  of 
my  people!"  Isaiah,  in  the  deep  solicitude  of  his  soul 
for  the  extension  of  the  kingdom  of  God,  says,  "For 
Zion's  sake  Avill  I  not  hold  my  peace,  and  for  Jerusa- 
lem's sake  sake  I  will  not  rest,  until  the  righteousness 
thereof  go  forth  as  brightness,  and  the  salvation  there- 
of as  a  lamp  that  burneth."  These  quotations  indi- 
cate the  true  missionary  spirit.  Those  who  have  such 
love  and  concern  for  souls  as  to  move  them  to  heart- 
sympathy  and  incessant  labor  will  prayerfully  look 
after  their  spiritual  welfare. 

Why,  if  the  Christian  church  had  the  spirit  of 
Isaiah,  Jeremiah,  and  Paul»  it  would  not  be  over  a 
quarter  of  a  century  until  every  place  needing  gospel 
laborers  would  be  brought  under  the  influence  of 
Christianity.  With  our  educational  facilities  to  fur- 
nish the  necessary  qualifications,  the  press  to  print  Bi- 
bles and  other  necessary  text-books,  our  facilities  to 
travel  into  all  the  world,  millions  of  money  controlled 
by  members  of  church,  and  a  gospel  that  will  arouse 
men  to  a  sense  of  their  duty  and  danger  when  fully 
and  faithfully  preached,  what  could  hinder  the  speedy 
conquest  of  earth  to  Christ,  were  all  to  do  what  they 
could  to  carrv  forward  this  w^ork? 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  123 


XX. 

Provoking  One  Another  to  Good  Works. 


'And  let  us  consider  one  another  to  provoke  unto  love  and  to  good 
works."      (Hebrews  x.  24.) 

We  wish  in  this   closing   chapter  to   indicate   the 
mes;ins  to  he  employed  "to  provoke,"  or  as  these  words 
mean,  to  arouse  or  excite,  "one  another"  to  zeal  and 
liberality  in  behalf  of  missions.     (1)  Ministers  should 
give  their  people  a  clear  perception  of  their  duty  in 
the  work  of  winning  the  world  back  to  Christ.     A 
deep  conviction  that  the  Lord  requires  this,  and  that 
they  should  be  prompted  by  religious  principle  to  ear- 
nestly engage  in  this  work  will  do  much  to  secure  their 
hearty  co-operation.     Without  this  their  zeal  for  mis- 
sions, at  least,  will  be  spasmodic  and  their  contributions 
unreliable.     (2)    There  must  be  system  in   collecting 
missionary  money.     As  such  collections  are  purely  vol- 
untary, coming  from  many  contributors,  and  mostly  in 
small   sums,  a   well-devised   plan,  easily  carried  into 
effect,  and  which  will  bring  the  claims  of  missions  to 
the  consideration  of  every  member  of  the  church,  and 
others   friendly  to  thi»  cause,  ought  to  be   adopted. 
Such  a  plan  is  contained  in  our  church  Discipline, 
and  was  devised  by  the  General  Conference.     It  has 
proved  to  be  successful  when  faithfully  carried  out,  and 
ought  to  be  in  general  use  among  our  ministers  and 


124  SUGGESTIVE   THOUGHTS    ON 

Sunday-school  officers.  It  says  the  preacher  "  shall  hold 
a  general  missionary  meeting  at  some  convenient  place 
on  his  work.  He  shall  also  preach  a  missionary  ser- 
mon, and  appoint  a  soliciting  committee  at  every  ap- 
pointment, whose  duty  it  shall  be,  in  conjunction  with 
himself,  to  canvass  the  class  and  community,  person- 
ally, to  solicit  funds  for  the  missionary  society.  He 
shall  also  keep  a  list  of  the  names  of  contributors,  so 
far  as  possible,  and  report  the  same  to  conference  for 
publication  with  the  minutes.  *  *  *  *  jje  shall 
also  establish  monthly  missionary  prayer-meetings 
wherever  practical  in  the  societies  of  his  charge. 
*  *  *  Each  of  our  Sabbath-schools  is  hereby  con- 
stituted an  auxiliary  to  the  branch  society  within 
whose  limits  it  is  located;  and  the  superintendent, 
secretary,  and  treasurer  of  the  Sabbath-school  shall  be 
president,  secretary,  and  treasurer  of  the  said  auxilia- 
ry, and  shall  report  annually,  through  the  preacher  in 
charge,  to  the  branch  society;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  every  auxiliary  society  to  hold  a  quarterly  mission- 
ary meeting,  and  take  up  missionary  collections." 

This  plan  provides  for  a  general  missionary  meet- 
ing, to  be  held  at  some  convenient  place  on  the  Held 
of  labor,  so  that  the  members  belonging  to  it  may  all 
be  present  if  possible.  This  meeting  shall  continue 
as  long  as  a  quarterly  meeting  usually  does,  have  as 
much  ministerial  help,  and  be  of  a  positive  missionary 
character  in  all  its  exercises.  Especially  should  the 
speakers  have  strong  perceptions  of  the  great  facts 
and  truths  of  the  missionary  work,  and  be  able  to  fur- 
nish such  intelligence  respecting  it  as  will  effectually 
"provoke  unto  love  and  to  good  works."  The  wants 
of  the  world,  both  in  heathen  and  Christian  lands, 
the  work  to  be  done  to  give    it  to  Christ  for  his  in- 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  125 

heritance,  and  the  duty  of  Christians  to  labor  zeal- 
ously to  accomplish  this  object  should  be  clearly 
shown. 

In  addition  to  this  the  minister  in  charge  "  shall 
preach  a  missionary  sermon  and  appoint  a  soliciting 
committee  at  every  appointment."  This  sermon 
should  also  be  full  of  impressive  truths,  illustrated  by 
stirring  statistics  and  facts,  and  so  delivered  as  to 
make  lasting  impressions.  The  minister  should  preach 
as  though  he  believed  what  the  Bible  says  upon  the 
subject  of  missions,  and  that  it  is  so  binding  a  duty 
to  contribute  to  their  support  that  to  refuse  to  do  this 
when  possible  is  absolutely  wicked. 

This  plan  also  provides  for  monthly  missionary 
prayer-meetings  wherever  this  is  practicable.  The 
minister  in  charge  should  appoint,  and,  as  often  as  this 
is  possible,  conduct  these  meetings,  and  by  his  short, 
telling  addresses,  well  laid  upon  the  hearts  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  his  earnest  petition  at  a  throne  of  grace, 
thoroughly  arouse  and  heartily  engage  them  in  the 
duty  of  praying  and  praying  for  the  cause  of  mis- 
sions. When  Christians  sincerely  ask  the  Lord  to  let 
his  kingdom  come,  and  his  "will  be  done  in  earth  as  it 
is  in  heaven,"  the  duty  of  paying  money  to  bring  about 
these  desirable  ends  will  forcibly  impress  itself  upon 
them.     They  will  not  pray  and  sing  the  sentiment, 

.  "  Salvation  let  the  echo  fly, 

The  spacious  earth  around, 
Till  all  the  armies  of  the  sky- 
Conspire  to  raise  the  sound," 

From  month  to  month  for  a  whole  year  without  feel- 
ing that  they  must  give  something  to  help  it  fly. 
Another  important  thing  to  be  done  by  the  preacher 


126  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

in  charge  is  to  appoint  solicitors  who  in  conjunction 
with  himself  will  solicit  contributions  for  missions. 
To  select  the  right  persons,  and  properly  instruct  them 
so  as  to  secure  a  thorough  and  successful  canvass,  not 
only  among  the  members  of  church,  but  others  friend- 
ly to  missions,  is  a  matter  of  great  importance.  The 
object  should  be  to  obtain  a  liberal  contribution  from 
every  one.  A  few  will  contribute  all  they  should  be 
asked  most  cheerfully,  others  will  soon  consent  to  do 
something  yet  not  as  much  as  they  should,  but  a 
large  number  will  give  absolutely  nothing  unless  they 
are  induced  to  do  so  in  the  way  indicated  in  the  text. 
All  should  be  prevailed  upon  to  contribute  something, 
if  this  is  possible.  The  larger  the  number  of  regular 
contributors  the  more  uniform  and  reliable  will  be  the 
collections  from  year  to  year.  It  is  much  more  assur- 
ing for  the  future  support  of  the  missionary  work  to 
have  lifty  persons  give  one  dollar  each  than  for  one 
man  to  pay  iifty  dollars,  for  the  reason  that  if  the  one 
man  should  cease  to  contribute  nothing  would  be  re- 
ceived, but  if  one  of  the  fifty  would  fail  to  give  there 
would  still  be  forty-nine  left,  and  the  loss  would  be 
but  one  dollar  instead  of  fifty  dollars.  All  large  con- 
tributions should  be  gratefully  received,  but  solicitors 
should  see  to  it  that  the  smaller  ones  be  given  annual- 
ly, even  if  the  amount  usually  collected  is  occasionally 
given  by  a  few  rich  persons. 

The  Wesleyans  of  great  Britain  are  the  most  suc- 
cessful people  in  the  world  to  obtain  missionary  col- 
lections. This  is  because  their  ministers  make  the 
cause  of  missions  their  own,  and  have  such  a  plan  for 
soliciting  money  as  effectually  reaches  all  classes — the 
poor  and  rich,  the  young  and  old.  They  not  unfrc- 
quently  preach  three  missionary  sermons  in   one  day 


THE   MISSIONARY   WORK.  127 

to  the  same  congregation,  and  take  a  collection  each 
time.  Their  people  hear  them  gladly,  because  their  dis- 
courses are  full  of  missionary  intelligence  and  their 
hearts  full  of  love  for  the  unenlightened  and  unsaved. 
They  provoke  their  people  unto  love  and  good  works 
most  effectually,  as  the  large  annual  contributions  which 
they  receive  from  them  show.  They  do  not,  as  we  have 
known  Americans  to  do,  preach  to  their  congregations 
a  whole  year  and  at  its  close,  for  the  first  and  only 
time,  make  a  few  remarks  respecting  missions,  and 
then  in  an  apologetic  way  say,  "  It  is  made  our  duty 
to  ask  you  for  a  collection  for  missions,  and  hence  this 
will  now  be  attended  to;  and  whatever  you  can  give 
will  be  thankfully  received."  They  give  prominence  to 
missions  constantly,  and  solicit  money  for  them  in  such 
a  way  as  to  make  their  people  feel  that  not  to  give 
when  giving  is  within  their  power  is  a  sin. 

How  a  Christian  minister  or  any  true  Christian  can 
contemplate  the  sad  condition  of  the  world  because  of 
sin,  w^ith  the  knowledge  that  the  gospel  is  the  only 
remedy  for  the  ruin  brought  upon  it,  and  that  money 
by  the  millions  is  needed  to  send  it  to  the  heathen,  and 
yet  be  indifferent  as  to  whether  little  or  much  be  re- 
ceived for  this  good  object  is  a  great  mystery.  Plenty 
of  money  is  expended  for  useless,  not  to  say  wicked, 
purposes.  Millions  of  money  are  given  for  war,  rail- 
roads, steam-ships,  telegraph  lines,  tobacco,  and  nu- 
merous other  things  which  could  in  many  instances  be 
dispensed  with,  but  for  missions  and  other  religious  ob- 
jects there  is  very  little  contributed.  Mr.  Joseph  Cook 
sa.ys,  "The  drink  bill  of  the  United  States  is  $700,000, 
000  a  year;  and  its  church-property,  all  told,  is  worth 
only  $354,000,000.  The  financial  loss  sustained  by  the 
sale  of  drinks  amounts  every  fifteen  years  to  a  value 


128  SUGGESTIVE    THOUGHTS    ON 

equal  to  that  of  the  property  destroyed  in  the  five 
years  of  our  civil  war."  This  war  cost  our  government, 
from  April,  1861,  to  September,  1866,  the  sum  of 
$1,094,000,000,  as  pay  of  officers  and  men  alone,  while 
a  much  greater  amount  was  expended  for  other  pur- 
poses in  its  successful  prosecution.  This  sum  would, 
at  the  present  rate  of  carrying  forward  the  mission- 
ary work  throughout  the  world,  meet  all  expenses 
for  hundreds  of  years.  President  Grant  said  of  one 
of  our  Indian  massacres,  "A  war  ensued  which  cost 
the  nation  $30,000,000."  This  war  resulted  in  the 
death  of  about  twenty  Indians,  at  a  cost  of  over  one 
million  of  dollars  apiece.  The  Modoc  war  cost  the 
United  States  more  than  three  times  as  much  as  was 
contributed  in  this  country  that  same  year  for  all  evan- 
gelistic work. 

Another  part  of  the  disciplinary  plan  is  intended  to 
and  will  in  almost  every  instance,  when  it  is  faithfully 
carried  out,  secure  the  hearty  co-operation  of  the  Sun- 
day-schools of  the  church.  These  are,  by  virtue  of 
this  plan,  all  organized  into  missionary  societies;  and 
were  the  officers  and  preacher  in  charge  to  hold  the 
quarterly  missionary  meetings  provided  for,  and  take 
collections,  as  they  are  required  to  do,  thousands  of 
dollars  would  be  received  from  our  Sabbath-shools  an- 
nually. More  money  ought  and  could  be  collected 
from  them  than  is  now  given  by  the  entire  church 
were  they  fully  enlisted  in  this  work.  And  this  might 
easily  be  done.  This  much-neglected  and  hopeful 
field,  from  which  much  fruit  might  be  gathered,  should 
no  longer  remain  uncultivated.  "Were  the  173,683 
persons  attending  our  Sabbath-schools  each  to  give  but 
five  cents  a  quarter, — and  that  this  could  be  obtained 
there  is  no  doubt, — it  would  put  into  the  missionary 


THE    MISSIONARY    WORK.  129 

treasury  annually  $30,  736.60.  This  is  almost  as  much 
as  the  entire  Church  gave  last  year.  We  sincerely  hope 
and  pray  that  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association, 
the  preachers  in  charge  of  fields  of  labor,  and  Sabbath- 
school  officers  in  the  Church  will  see  to  it  that  all  our 
Sabbath-schools,  as  often  as  once  a  quarter,  be  invited 
to  meet  for  the  express  purpose  of  singing  missionary 
hymns,  hearing  missionary  prayers  and  addresses,  and 
paying  missionary  money. 

In  addition  to  the  large  sums  of  money  which  might 
be  thus  obtained,  the  children  and  youth  of  the  Church 
would  in  this  way  be  trained  for  systematic  and  liberal 
giving  to  all  its  benevolent  enterprises.  Ever  since  it 
has  been  our  custom  to  preach  missionary  sermons  and 
take  collections  annually  the  liberality  of  our  people 
has  steadily  increased  in  behalf  of  the  cause  of  educa- 
tion, building  houses  of  worship,  and  supporting  their 
ministers.  It  is  owing  largely  to  the  culture  given  to 
the  Church  by  the  earnest  eftbrts  put  forth  for  the 
support  of  missions  during  the  last  quarter  of  a  cen- 
tury that  has  given  us  our  financial  growth  in  other 
benevolent  enterprises.  After  our  people  had  been 
trained  to  give  from  $10  to  $100,  and  occasionally 
$1,000,  annually  to  missions,  giving  from  $1,000  to 
$5,000  to  building  a  college  or  house  of  worship  be- 
came possible.  Their  leaving  large  sums  of  money  to 
our  benevolent  institutions  by  bequest  is  also  contem- 
porary with  the  adoption  of  systematic  eftbrt  for  se- 
curing money  for  missions. 

Soon  after  the  Board  of  Missions  was  organized,  in 
1853,  earnest  efi:brt  was  put  forth  to  impress  the  truth 
upon  the  minds  of  our  people  that  the  missionary  en- 
terprise of  the  Church  was  a  great  and  important 
work,  and  demanded  large  contributions.     It  is  a  great 


130        SUGGESTIVE  THOUGHTS  ON  MISSIONARY  WORK. 

error  into  which  some  have  fallen,  to  represent  that 
it  is  one  of  the  small  enterprises  of  the  Church,  and 
needs  but  small  contributions.  To  enlighten  and  win 
the  world  to  Christ  is  a  very  great  undertaking,  and 
demands  liberal  gifts. 

The  many  inviting  fields  open  to  us,  the  excellent 
success  we  have  had  for  the  small  amount  of  money 
expended,  the  large  financial  resources  of  the  Church 
still  undeveloped,  and  the  positive  command  of  Christ 
"to  preach  the  gospel  to  every  creature,"  demand 
much  greater  eftbrt  than  we  are  putting  forth  to  col- 
lect money.  We  already  have  a  large  force  in  the 
field  for  the  means  at  our  command  for  their  support. 
No  less  than  three  hundred  and  sixty-seven  mission- 
aries are  now  in  the  field,  which  is  near  one  third  of 
the  entire  ministerial  force  actively  employed  in  the 
church.  To  wholly  discontinue  our  annual  collections 
for  missions  would  cause  most  of  these  to  cease  labor- 
ins:.  To  double  the  amount  thus  secured  would  pro- 
portionately  increase  the  number  found  laboring 
among  the  spiritually  destitute.  With  a  membership 
of  152,231,  we  ought  to  have  1,000  missionaries  in 
the  field,  and  furnish  them  an  ample  support.  Since 
the  organization  of  the  Board  in  1853,  78,271  persons 
have  been  brought  into  the  Church  through  the  labors 
of  our  missionaries,  at  an  average  cost  of  seven  dollars 
and  sixty- eight  cents  per  member;  that  is,  for  every 
seven  dollars  and  sixty-eight  cents  of  missionary 
money  contributed  by  our  people,  one  member  has  been 
added  to  the  Church.  This  wonderful  success  in  the 
past  ought  "to  provoke  unto  love  and  to  good  works" 
every  member  of  the  Church  in  a  larger  degree,  and  to 
an  extent  hitherto  not  attained  by  the  most  devoted. 


DATE  DUE 

y^..^-J^ 

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, 

1 

GAYLORD 

PniNTEOINU    S*. 

/ 


V 


BX9878.76.F62 

The  Church's  marching  orders :  or, 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00046  9926 


